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Court Bars NMDPRA from Shutting Dangote Refinery

A Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) from shutting down or interfering with operations at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in the Lekki Free Zone.

Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the interim injunction on Monday while ruling on a motion ex parte filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery Nigeria Limited.

The refinery had approached the court after receiving a letter dated August 24, 2026, in which NMDPRA allegedly directed suspension of product loading and truck-out.

The company sought orders preventing NMDPRA and its agents from sealing, restricting access to, or otherwise interfering with its refinery, petrochemical, terminal, storage, blending and related facilities. Counsel Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN) argued the application, supported by a 42-paragraph affidavit and exhibits.

Justice Aluko noted that the refinery’s case was that NMDPRA lacked regulatory powers over operations within free zones. He cited a March 2, 2026 letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation affirming that NMDPRA was not entitled to exercise oversight functions in such zones.

“The important question, therefore, is whether the defendant can or should be allowed to exercise such regulatory authority pending the determination of the substantive issues before the court,” the judge said. He stressed the court’s duty to preserve the subject matter of litigation.

Aluko held that the refinery had satisfied conditions for an interim injunction and had undertaken to indemnify NMDPRA in damages if the order was later found to be wrongly granted.

“Accordingly, I find merit in the application, and the same is hereby granted in terms of the reliefs sought,” he ruled.

The judge directed that the order be served on NMDPRA and adjourned the case until September 9, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.