A Federal High Court has ordered the Nigerian Navy and the Chief of Naval Staff to pay Mercury Oil Limited, the sum of N200 million as damages for illegally detaining its vessel M T SAPPHIRE 1 and siphoning 280,000 litres of Automated Gas Oil contained in the vessel.
The Trial Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke while delivering the judgement said: “The present case has brought to the fore once again, the arrogant, brutal, callous and capricious manner our law enforcement agencies commonly adopt in the exercise of their functions to the consternation and embarrassment of any discerning and decent mind around.
“We are in a democracy and must do everything to enthrone and nurture democratic ethos for the good of the society.”
Mercury Oil Ltd., its vessel M T SAPPHIRE 1,and four crew members on board, Folorunso Olayiwola, Joshua Arthur, Asabalashe Johnson and Wale Alade had earlier filed a rights suit through their counsel, Mr Norrison Quakers, SAN.
The Managing Director of the firm explained that in February, 2014,Mercury Oil company was engaged in offshore operation to load Automotive Gas Oil, AGO after relevant approvals were obtained.
The vessel and its crew members were subsequently arrested by the navy on suspicion of engaging in illegal operations.
After investigations by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, which is the body responsible for such investigation, the vessel was cleared of any wrong doing.