A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has rejected a request by General Hydrocarbons to serve court orders on the Nigerian Navy and other authorities involved in the seizure of its oil cargo.
The energy firm, owned by THISDAY chairman Nduka Obaigbena, had asked the court to serve rulings made on March 25 and April 29, 2025, on parties including the Nigerian Navy, NUPRC, NIMASA, and NPA’s Harbour Master.
Justice E.A. Obile dismissed the motion on May 7, ruling that the court lacked jurisdiction since the matter had already been entered at the Court of Appeal.
The March ruling had dismissed First Bank’s case against General Hydrocarbons and discharged the January 9 arrest order on the oil cargo aboard the FPSO Tamara Tokoni.
However, the court’s latest decision means the crude cargo remains effectively detained despite the earlier discharge order.
First Bank and FBN Quest Trustees had obtained a Mareva injunction in December 2024 over an alleged $225.8 million debt by General Hydrocarbons.
That order froze assets linked to the company and its directors, but a Lagos court reversed the injunction in January 2025, prompting the bank to appeal.
First Bank maintains that the cargo remains under arrest and insists the case is a valid maritime claim, not just a debt recovery issue.
The statement noted, “While First Bank has great respect for the courts, it strongly disagrees with the ruling, which, in our view, constitutes a miscarriage of justice.”
