The Nigerian state-owned oil company NNPC has accused the Dangote Refinery of attempting to create a monopoly in the country's fuel market.
In a defense filed with the Federal High Court in Lagos, the NNPC warned that restricting import licenses could lead to supply shortages, price instability, and jeopardize national energy security.
The Dangote Refinery sued the Attorney General in April, alleging that import permits issued by the NMDPRA undermine its local refining operations, disregard previous court orders, and violate the Petroleum Industry Act.
The NNPC countered that Dangote failed to provide credible evidence that it can fully meet Nigeria's fuel demand or guarantee an uninterrupted supply across the country. The company also denied allegations of sabotage at the refinery or withholding crude oil supplies.
The case involves Africa's largest refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, and comes ahead of its planned September initial public offering, which could value the company at between $40 billion and $50 billion. A court hearing is scheduled for the coming weeks.