The Federal High Court in Rivers State has directed the Nigerian Navy to apprehend and detain an oil vessel owned by General Hydrocarbons Limited, a company linked to Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of the ThisDay Editorial Board.
Chronicles Reporters learned that the court’s decision to detain the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessel, Tamara Tokoni, stems from a debt recovery application by First Bank of Nigeria over an outstanding $225 million.
The court document, titled “Warrant of Arrest and Detention,” authorized the seizure of the crude oil cargo aboard FPSO Tamara Tokoni, currently located in Rivers State or any Nigerian territorial waters. The document, issued by Justice E.A. Obile in Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/02/2025, names First Bank as the plaintiff and General Hydrocarbons Limited, the crude oil cargo, the vessel’s owners/operators, and its master as defendants.
The order states:
“To the Admiralty Marshal of the Federal High Court and all his substitutes: WHEREAS it appears that the CARGO OF CRUDE OIL ON BOARD THE FLOATING PRODUCTION STORAGE AND OFFLOADING (FPSO) VESSEL TAMARA TOKONI is about to leave Nigeria, beyond the jurisdiction of this Court. The Plaintiff’s claim is outlined in the writ of summons served alongside this warrant of arrest. You are hereby ordered to arrest and detain the said cargo until further orders of this Court.”
Unconfirmed reports indicate that early Wednesday, security operatives acted on the court order by detaining the vessel, which is owned by General Hydrocarbons Limited.
According to a source, “The Tamara Tokoni (IMO: 8302131), a Panama-flagged Floating Storage/Production vessel owned by GHL, was apprehended at Escravos in Delta State. Naval personnel deployed from Lagos intercepted the vessel using a gunship.”
The source further disclosed that the Nigerian Navy has taken full control of the FPSO.
This legal dispute stems from credit facilities granted by First Bank to General Hydrocarbons Limited, which the bank claims were not repaid as agreed. First Bank alleges that the company owes $225.8 million as of September 30, 2024.
Justice Obile’s ruling on January 9, 2025, mandates the detention of the crude oil cargo aboard the FPSO Tamara Tokoni until General Hydrocarbons provides a “satisfactory guarantee” from a first-class Nigerian bank for $19.7 million, plus interest and associated costs.
The court also instructed the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to support the enforcement of the arrest order. Security agencies were directed to conduct regular patrols around the vessel to prevent unauthorized removal of the crude oil until the court’s order is fulfilled.
The case has been adjourned to February 9, 2025, for further proceedings.
In a follow-up, the Federal High Court formally requested the Chief of Naval Staff to assist in enforcing the order, ensuring the crude oil aboard FPSO Tamara Tokoni remains detained.
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