The National Industrial Court in Abuja has restrained the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from continuing its nationwide strike against the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
Justice Emmanuel Sublim delivered the interim order on Monday, ruling that the union’s planned action—specifically to cut crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery—could inflict severe harm on Nigeria’s fragile economy.
The injunction was granted following an ex-parte application filed by the refinery’s lead counsel, Mr. George Ibrahim (SAN).
Justice Sublim also barred key regulatory bodies—including the NNPCL, NMDPRA, and NUPRC—from enforcing any PENGASSAN directive aimed at disrupting supply to the $20 billion refinery.
“The court is convinced that the strike action, if allowed to proceed, has the potential of causing irreparable damage to the economy and should be halted in the interest of justice,” Justice Sublim stated in his ruling.
He ordered that the restraining order and suit be immediately served on all defendants, emphasizing that the status quo must be maintained pending the determination of the substantive motion.
The case has been adjourned to October 13 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
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