Court orders NMDPRA to keep granting fuel import licences to three marketers

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to continue granting petroleum product import licences to Matrix Energy, AA Rano and AYM Shafa, once the companies meet the legal conditions.

Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the judgment on Monday in a case filed by the three oil marketers. The court held that NMDPRA’s refusal to issue or renew the licences was in direct non-compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act.

The companies had asked the court to declare that the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, does not ban the importation of petroleum products into Nigeria or stop the regulator from granting licences to eligible importers.

The judge held that the PIA and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act require the regulator to promote a competitive market in midstream and downstream petroleum operations and prevent abuse of dominant positions and restrictive business practices.

The court also held that any exercise of power by NMDPRA on import licences that does not comply with the relevant laws would be null and void. The ruling covers the three plaintiffs named in the case and does not amount to a general licence for all marketers.

Sources: Daily Trust, Channels TV