A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted an interim injunction restraining the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) from shutting down or interfering with the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in the Lekki Free Zone.
Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the order on Monday while ruling on a motion ex parte filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery Nigeria Limited. The company had approached the court after receiving a letter dated August 24, 2026, in which the NMDPRA allegedly directed the suspension of loading and truck-out of petroleum products from the refinery.
Dangote Refinery sought protection against any attempt by the agency or its representatives to seal, obstruct, or disrupt its operations pending the hearing of its substantive motion.
In his ruling, Justice Aluko noted that the refinery’s case was based on the argument that NMDPRA lacked regulatory authority over operations within free zones, citing a March 2, 2026 letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation affirming that position.
The judge held that the affidavit presented by the refinery disclosed serious issues requiring judicial determination and emphasized the need to preserve the subject matter of the suit. He concluded that the refinery had met the conditions for an interim injunction and ordered it to file a formal undertaking to indemnify NMDPRA in damages if the order was later found to be unwarranted.
“The application has merit and is hereby granted in terms of the reliefs sought,” Justice Aluko ruled.
The case was adjourned to September 9, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.
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