Mantrea Logistics Secures Injunction Against Shell in Bonga Terminal Dispute
Mantrea Logistics Secures Injunction Against Shell in Bonga Terminal Dispute
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, has granted two separate applications in a long-running commercial dispute between Martreach Logistics Limited and Shell Production Development Company Limited, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Attorney-General of the Federation, and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company.
The case, numbered FCT/HC/CV/408/2019, has stretched over seven years since it was first filed in 2019.
Justice Bello Kawu delivered rulings on two separate motions, both of which were decided in favour of Martreach Logistics – the claimant and applicant in the suit.
The first application, Motion No. M/3507/2026, sought an order permitting the trial to proceed virtually, with hearings to be conducted through Zoom, Skype, Google Meet or any other communication platform approved by the court, in line with the High Court of FCT Civil Procedure Rules 2025.
The application was supported by a 15-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Ngozi Ugwu and moved before the court by Emeka Obeolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, appearing alongside Onyeka Osigwe. Demographics
Justice Kawu noted that no documentary evidence had been attached to confirm that the relevant witness had in fact travelled abroad, a detail that ordinarily forms the basis for such an application.
Despite that gap, the judge held that granting the application would serve the interest of justice, and the request for virtual proceedings was accordingly approved.
The second application before the court, Motion No. M/4205/2022, sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the respondents, whether by themselves, their agents, officials or privies, from interfering with or revoking a contract under which Martreach Logistics was appointed as Dock Labour Employer for the provision of stevedoring services at the Bonga on- and offshore terminal.
According to the application, that appointment, covering a ten-year term running from 1 January 2013, was made pursuant to letter reference number T.1700/S.4/11/324, dated 27 November 2012, and remains valid and subsisting under the Nigerian Ports Authority Act pending the final determination of the substantive suit.
