Marine Firm Slaps N771m Suit On AGF, Navy, Others Over Damaged Vessel

A maritime firm, Sea Delights Marine Wreckage Limited, has filed  a N771 million suit against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Chief of Naval Staff, and three others for allegedly hindering its lawful acquisition of a vessel purchased at a court-ordered auction.

The company is urging Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos to award the sum as compensation for the vessel’s purchase price, plus exemplary damages, legal fees, and litigation costs.

Other respondents in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/793/2026 are the Nigerian Navy, the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court and the Deputy Chief Registrar/Admiralty.

The applicant claimed that despite paying N130 million for the MT Dejikun in July 2024, it had been denied possession due to alleged unlawful interference involving the AGF and the Nigerian Navy.

Sea Delights Marine Wreckage Limited is therefore asking the court for a declaration that the defendants breached the sale contract of the vessel after auctioning it and executing related documents without handing over possession.

The company also requests the court to rescind the contract and cancel the auction, citing deterioration and depreciation of the vessel since the sale.

The applicant further seeks a refund of the N130 million purchase price, with interest, and N500 million as punitive damages for obstructing its possession of the vessel.

It is also demanding N10 million in legal fees and N1 million in filing costs.

In an affidavit attached to the suit, the firm stated that it participated in the auction of MT Dejikun, which was ordered by the Admiralty Division of the Federal High Court to prevent further deterioration of the vessel, which has been detained at the Nigerian Navy Kirikiri Anchorage, Lagos, since 2016.

Following the court order, the Admiralty Marshal asked the Nigerian Navy for security assistance to value and sell the vessel, which was approved even by the Chief of Naval Staff.

The firm states it was the successful bidder following bid submission and valuation, and that it paid the purchase amount into the designated Federal High Court account.

However, efforts to take possession were thwarted, as the Navy refused to release the vessel, insisting that the directive should come from the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Despite further correspondence, the deadlock persisted, with the Solicitor-General of the Federation allegedly instructing that the vessel not be released due to a pending forfeiture motion.

Sea Delights reports that Justice Yellim Bogoro, on 10 February 2026, ordered the vessel’s immediate release, but the order was reportedly ignored.

The vessel has since suffered vandalism and theft of valuable parts, with ongoing deterioration and sinking reducing its worth.

The refusal to release the vessel has resulted in significant financial losses and lost business opportunities, as the company has tied up capital in the asset for nearly 2 years without benefit.

Defendants have yet to respond to the suit, despite having been served.

Justice Faji has fixed 15 June for the hearing of the case.