Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court Abuja, has
restrained the Petroleum, Natural Gas Workers Association of Nigeria,
PENGASSAN, from embarking on its planned industrial action against
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
Ruling on an ex parte application by Dangote Refinery, Justice Subilim
restrained the defendants, which included Nigeria National Petroleum
Company Ltd (NNPCL), Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum,
and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, from
cutting crude and gas supply to Dangote Refinery.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, George Ibrahim, argued the application
and secured the order against the defendants.
Ibrahim argued that the Applicant is a petroleum production and or
distribution companies licensed to own, operate and produce petroleum
and petrochemical products for the general consumption of the Nigerian
public, and whose business provides essential services to the Nigerian
economy and the general public.
In his brief ruling on ex parte application, Justice Subilim held that the
balance of convenience is in favour of the Applicants as the continuation
of the strike would irreparably damage its business and cripple the
provision of essential services to the Nigerian public.
The Judge held that it was in the interest of justice for the Court to
restrain the Respondents to preserve the industrial peace and further aid
the continuous provision of essential services to the Nigerian public
pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The judge held that the restraining order shall last for seven days only.
He subsequently fixed October 13 for the hearing of the motion on notice
