By Abaire Olanlesi
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to include it as a party in the N100 billion lawsuit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery against the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), and oil marketers over refined petroleum imports.
Dangote Refinery opposes FCCPC’s request, dismissing the commission as a “meddlesome interloper” with no jurisdiction in a case under the Petroleum Industry Act.
However, FCCPC argues that its involvement is crucial to prevent market monopoly, stating that Dangote’s bid to dominate the sector contradicts its mandate of promoting competition.
FCCPC’s counsel, Olanrewaju Oshinaike, told Justice Inyang Ekwo on Wednesday that any court ruling on the matter would directly impact the commission’s regulatory duties, particularly in tackling anti-competitive practices in the petroleum industry.
