Court orders NMDPRA to keep issuing fuel import licences to Matrix Energy, AA Rano, AYM Shafa
By Aboki Forex —
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to continue issuing fuel import licences and related permits to Matrix Energy, AA Rano and AYM Shafa.
The court held that any refusal would be inconsistent with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), according to court documents shown on Monday, Sept 28.
Why the court ruled
Judge Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja said non-compliance with the PIA and relevant laws would make any regulatory action on import licences legally ineffective.
“The consequences of non-compliance with the PIA and relevant laws make any exercise by the Authority in respect to import licences null and void,” Ekwo said.
The marketers’ case
Matrix Energy, AA Rano and AYM Shafa filed the suit in June. The lawsuit challenges the NMDPRA’s handling of fuel import licences.
The three marketers told the court they had invested more than $20 billion in infrastructure, logistics and retail networks to support their licensed fuel distribution businesses across Nigeria.
What it means for fuel imports
The order compels the regulator to keep processing import licences and permits for the three firms while the dispute continues. That gives the marketers legal cover to maintain their fuel distribution operations.
For Nigerian businesses and consumers, the ruling touches on the import licence process at a time when fuel supply remains sensitive. The court’s insistence that the PIA governs the regulator’s decisions could shape how future licence disputes are handled.