A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has issued an interim order restraining the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and all banks operating in Nigeria from releasing funds to Beijing Seajets International Forwarder Company Limited over an alleged debt of $117,000.
Justice Stephen Daylyop Pam, who presided over the matter, directed that NNPC Ltd must not make any payment to the Chinese company, its directors, shareholders, agents, servants or privies “in whatever form or under any guise” pending the determination of the suit before the court.
The court also ordered the temporary freezing of funds and assets belonging to Beijing Seajets International Forwarder Company Limited over the alleged unpaid debt said to be owed to the plaintiff.
The orders were granted in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/55/2026 following an ex parte motion filed by counsel to the plaintiff, M.K. Chinda, alongside H. Aigbiremolen, from the law firm of Thankgod Nwugha.
According to the plaintiff, Wellman Group Limited, the defendant allegedly failed to settle payment for the hire of tugboats and barges used for transporting and storing heavy cargo within Nigeria’s territorial waters between December 8, 2025 and January 27, 2026.
The cargo in dispute reportedly consisted of a 340-ton gas turbine and 300 tons of Giwu 1 and 2 generators transported from the Nigerian Ports Authority facility in Warri to Griniya Jetty, Lokoka, using the plaintiff’s barge, MV Dodi Star.
Counsel to the plaintiff told the court that the outstanding amount represented unpaid hire fees calculated at a daily rate of $12,987.1 for maritime services rendered during the operation.
In his ruling, Justice Pam granted a Mareva injunction restraining Beijing Seajets International Forwarder Company Ltd, its directors, shareholders, agents and representatives from withdrawing, transferring or dissipating funds held in any Nigerian financial institution pending the hearing of the substantive suit.
The judge further restrained the company from selling, transferring or tampering with any movable or immovable assets, shares or funds located in Nigeria until the matter is resolved.
Specifically, the court made the following orders: “An order is hereby made restraining the defendant, its Directors, Shareholders, Agents, Servants, and/or Privies from withdrawing, tampering with or otherwise dissipating the funds in its bank accounts in any bank or other financial institutions within Nigeria up to the sum of US$117, 000. 00 (One Hundred and Seventeen Thousand United States Dollars) being the unpaid hire sum of plaintiff’s tug boats and barge, cost of conveyance and Storage of the Bulks Cargo of 340 Tons Gas Turbine and 300 Tons Giwu 1 and 2 Generator from NPA Ports Warri to Griniya Jetty Lokoka between the 8/12/2025 and 27/1/2026, at the daily rate of US$12,987.1 (Twelve Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty Seven United States Dollars and One Cent) at the deck of the Plaintiffs barge, MV Dodi Star, within the territorial waters of Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this suit.
“An order of mereva injunction is hereby made restraining the defendant, its Directors, Shareholders, Agents, Servants, and/or Privies from dealing with, dissipating, transferring, selling or however tampering with any assets (be it moveable or immovable), shares, funds in any financial institution (howsoever described) in Nigeria pending the hearing and final determination of the motion on notice.
“An order of Injunction is hereby made restraining the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPC Ltd) from paying over to the defendant, its Directors, Shareholders, Agents, Servants and/or Privies, in whatever form or under any guise, the sum ordinarily due and payable to the defendant arising from the defendant’s contractual obligation to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited {NNPC Ltd) and giving rise to the agreement between the Plaintiff and the Defendant and this instant suit pending the hearing of the motion on notice
“A consequential order is hereby made directing all banks within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court as well as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPC A Ltd), to depose on oath the sums due to the Defendant and/or standing to the credit of the defendant respectively in their custody within 7 days from being served with a copy of the order of this Honourable Court.”
The case was subsequently adjourned to June 1, 2026, for mention.
