The Lifeline Maritime Limited has instructed a legal suit against the Nigerian Navy for vandalization of its vessel and illegal evacuation of over 50 metric tons of AGO.
Also joined in the suit No. FHC/ABJ/ 103/15 are the Chief of Naval Staff and Navy Captain Bala Mohammed Idris.
The company in its submission before the Abuja Federal Court, narrated on how the defendants destroyed its vessel containing AGO.
The firm through its counsel, Declan O. Madu, Esq. averred about the unlawful and criminal acts done to the vessel belonging to its client.
According to the counsel, vandalizing the said vessel and rendering it unseaworthy and immovable and also evacuating and selling off the 50 metric tons of AGO on board MT Beskid, the Nigerian Navy acted ultra vire.
The lawyer prayed the court to compel the defendants to pay its client, the sum of US $4,000,000.00 representing the replacement cost of the plaintiff’s 1,000 MT Coaster Tanker Ship, MT Beskid which were totally vandalized, to pay N8,730,000 being the cost of the 50 metric tons of AGO on board MT Beskid which was allegedly evacuated and sold by the defendant without any lawful justification, and also to pay the sum of $5,000.00 being the cost of hire of the said coaster tanker per day with the effect from 13/3/014 until the replacement cost of the said coaster tanker ship is paid to the plaintiff.
After hearing the counsel, the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Kolawole adjourned the case to 2nd April, 2015 for mention.
