Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Chief of Naval Staff to release the vessel MV Blue Shark to its Nigerian owners.
The order follows a peaceful resolution of the issues that led to the vessel's seizure.
The vessel, owned by Streamflow Global Services and Jerusalem Obokeno, was detained along with its crew on May 6 while returning from Gabon to Warri, Delta State, for repairs. The detained crew members were John Oyadonga, Foxy Bakpar Afoke, David Owolo, Otugo Solomon, Ugbogure Idolor, Joseph Eke, Eric Ebiodench, Obiku Felix, Emmanuel Akpomudjere, Franklin Anyanwu, and Eric Ovwidi.
The seizure prompted a lawsuit, FHC/ABJ/CS/639/2024, filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Reuben Okpanachi Atabo on behalf of the vessel owners. They sought the vessel's release and demanded N500 million in damages for the unlawful arrest and detention.
During proceedings on Wednesday, Atabo informed the court that the parties had amicably settled their dispute and agreed on terms of settlement. Pending the execution of these terms, the vessel would be released to its owners. This submission was supported by Mr. T. M. Ozioko, representing Cameroonian lawyer Eugene Thomas Ndong Amaazee, at whose instance the vessel was seized.
Justice Nwite granted the oral application and ordered the vessel's release. He set July 15 for the adoption of the terms of settlement as the court's judgment.
On May 17, Streamflow Global Services and Jerusalem Obokeno had secured an interim injunction preventing the AGF, the naval chief, and Amaazee from moving the MV Blue Shark from the Navy Dockyard in Port Harcourt to any location outside Nigeria.
This restraining order was issued while ruling on an ex-parte application by Atabo on behalf of the vessel's owners. The judge also barred the AGF and Chief of Naval Staff from acting on any external orders or judgments until the case was resolved.
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