Court Orders NMDPRA To ‘Continually’ Grant Fuel Import Licenses To Matrix, Two Others
The judge said the regulator acted beyond the law and ruled the marketers are entitled to licences once they meet statutory conditions.
- On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to continue granting petroleum import licenses to Matrix Energy, AA Rano, and AYM Shafa, citing "direct non-compliance" with the Petroleum Industry Act.
- The three oil marketers initiated the legal action after the regulator sporadically issued or renewed their import licenses since July 2025, claiming the refusal hindered competition and contributed to market monopolization by local refineries.
- Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that Sections 31, 32, and 211 of the PIA, read with Section 72 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, obligate the authority to prevent abuse of dominant positions. The plaintiffs invested more than $20,000,000,000 in infrastructure.
- Following this judgment, the regulator must issue licenses to eligible companies, a decision arriving amid a separate N100 billion lawsuit filed by Dangote Refinery against the Attorney-General regarding continued import permit issuance.
- While PMS imports fell 26 per cent in August, the NMDPRA recently approved import permits for multiple companies, including NIPCO and Pinnacle Oil, to ensure supply continuity through the fourth quarter of 2026.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Court orders NMDPRA to continue issuing fuel import licences to Matrix, AA Rano, AYM Shafa
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered NMDPRA to continue issuing and renewing petroleum products import licences to three major oil marketers, ruling that the regulator’s refusal to do so violates the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
BREAKING: Court orders NMDPRA to keep granting fuel import licences to Matrix, AA Rano, AYM
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to continue granting petroleum products import licences to Matrix Energy, AA Rano and AYM Shafa. Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order on Monday while delivering judgment in a suit filed by the three oil marketers against the regulatory […] BREAKING: Court orders NMDPRA to keep granting fuel import licences to Matrix, AA Rano, A…
NMDPRA unveils new rules in a bid to curb monopoly
By Obas Esiedesa The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has unveiled proposed regulations aimed at curbing monopoly, abuse of market dominance, collusion and other anti-competitive practices in Nigeria’s petroleum midstream and downstream sectors. The proposed “Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Prevention of Anti-Competitive Practices and Behaviour Regulations, 2026” are also designed to guarantee […]
Court Orders NMDPRA to Issue Fuel Licences to Marketers
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to “continue to grant” petroleum import licences… The post Court Orders NMDPRA to Issue Fuel Licences to Marketers appeared first on Latest Breaking News - News Central TV.
“Continue Issuing Fuel Import Licences To Matrix, AA Rano, AYM Shafa” — Court Rules NMDPRA’s Refusal Violates PIA
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to continue granting, issuing, extending and renewing petroleum products import licences to Matrix Energy, AA Rano and AYM Shafa, provided the companies satisfy all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered the judgment on Monday, holding […]
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