A Lagos-based maritime company, Sea Delights Marine Wreckage Limited, has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court against the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Naval Staff, and the Nigerian Navy over the alleged refusal to release a vessel it lawfully purchased through a court-supervised auction.

Also listed as first and second defendants in the suit are the Chief Registrar and Deputy Chief Registrar (Admiralty) of the Federal High Court. The case, filed by the company’s lawyer, Benjamin Sati, seeks a total of N771 million in claims, including the vessel’s purchase cost, damages, legal fees, and litigation expenses.

According to court filings, Sea Delights Marine Wreckage Limited paid N130 million in July 2024 for the vessel, MT Dejikun, following a judicial auction process, but says it has been unable to take possession due to alleged interference by government authorities and non-compliance with court orders.

The company is asking the court to declare that the Chief Registrar and Deputy Chief Registrar breached the sale agreement by failing to transfer possession after concluding the auction process. It also wants the court to rule that the actions of the AGF, the Chief of Naval Staff, and the Nigerian Navy in withholding the vessel are beyond their legal powers and in violation of existing court directives.

As part of its demands, the firm is seeking cancellation of the sale agreement on grounds that the vessel was never delivered and has since depreciated significantly. It is also asking for the auction sale to be nullified, a refund of the N130 million purchase price with interest, and additional compensation from the defendants.

The company further seeks N500 million in punitive and exemplary damages for wrongful denial of possession, N10 million in legal costs, and N1 million to cover the expense of filing the suit.

In an affidavit filed by its Managing Partner, Bukoye Omoyemi, the company stated that the vessel was sold under an order of the Federal High Court’s Admiralty Division to prevent further deterioration after being detained for years at the Nigerian Navy’s Kirikiri Anchorage in Lagos.

Following valuation and a competitive bidding process, the company emerged as the successful bidder, completed payment into a designated court account, and received the necessary sale and delivery documents in July 2024.

However, when it sought assistance to take possession, the Nigerian Navy reportedly declined, insisting that approval must come from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. The matter was later complicated by a forfeiture application, though Justice Yellim Bogoro reportedly dismissed that request in February 2026 and ordered the vessel’s immediate release.

Sea Delights claims the order has still not been obeyed, adding that the vessel has suffered serious deterioration and vandalism, leading to major financial losses and missed business opportunities.

The matter is scheduled for hearing before Justice Ayokunle Faji on June 15, 2026.