A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt freezes funds of a Chinese firm over alleged $117,000 debt in a maritime services dispute involving Nigerian companies
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and commercial banks operating in Nigeria from releasing funds to a Chinese company over an alleged unpaid debt linked to maritime services.
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The order was issued by Justice Stephen Daylop Pam following an ex parte application filed by Wellman Group Limited, which accused Beijing Seajets International Forwarder Company Ltd of failing to settle outstanding payments.
The applicant alleged that the Chinese firm defaulted on a $117,000 payment for tugboats and barges supplied for the movement of heavy cargo between December 2025 and January 2026.
According to court filings, repeated demands for payment were ignored, prompting the legal action to recover the disputed sum.
The court directed that all funds due to the company from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited be temporarily frozen pending the outcome of the case.
Justice Pam further ordered all commercial banks in the country to suspend any transactions involving the company’s funds until the matter is fully determined.
The court held that the interim measures were necessary to preserve the subject matter of the dispute and prevent possible dissipation of funds before judgment is delivered.
The case has been adjourned to June 1, 2026, for further hearing.
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The ruling underscores ongoing judicial efforts to enforce commercial accountability in cross-border maritime transactions involving Nigerian entities.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
