The National Industrial Court has stepped in to halt a looming showdown between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Dangote Refinery, granting an interim injunction restraining the union and affiliated drivers’ groups from obstructing roads, disrupting operations, or shutting down the facilities of Dangote Refinery, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, and MRS Oil and Gas Company Ltd.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Emmanuel Subilim, followed an ex parte motion filed by George Ibrahim, counsel to Dangote Refinery. In his submission, Ibrahim argued that the refinery and its partners risked “irreparable damage” if NUPENG’s threats of industrial action were not restrained.
Supporting the application, an affidavit sworn by Ahmed Hashem, the refinery’s General Manager for Government and Strategic Relations, provided an undertaking to compensate for damages should the court later overturn the injunction.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim stated that the court was satisfied there was “a serious issue to be tried,” and that the balance of convenience favoured the applicants. He ordered NUPENG and its affiliates to refrain from strikes, road blockades, or compelling truck drivers to join any industrial action, pending the hearing of the substantive case.
The injunction, however, is temporary, lasting seven days. The court further directed that NUPENG and other respondents be served with all motion processes within that timeframe. Since the court’s vacation period ends on September 23, the case has been ordered to be reassigned to another judge for continuation.
The dispute stems from tensions after Sayyu Dantata, owner of MRS Oil, reportedly instructed his truck drivers to remove NUPENG stickers from their vehicles. NUPENG described the move as an attack on union rights, triggering altercations and prompting the union to place members on red alert for possible industrial action.
The outcome of the case will be closely watched, given its implications for industrial relations in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and the operational stability of Dangote’s multi-billion-dollar refinery project.
