A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned till 11th of October, 2021 for an Oceangoing Vessel M V IGBUNU to open its defence against an N1.7 Billion debt recovery suit filed against the Vessel by Sterling Bank Plc.

In a statement of claim filed before the court, Sterling bank alleged that M V IGBUNU, an ocean-going vessel that sails from one location to another, specialises in Marine construction operations currently berth at Aboluma Jetty, Port Harcourt, River State. The acquisition of the Vessel was financed by Sterling bank through various loans granted to Sego Oilfield services limited by the bank. The owner of the vessel is a resident of 41/43Oroigwe Road,Elimgbu East-West Road Rumuokwosi, Port Harcourt, River State.

Sometimes in March 2013 the defendant’s owners applied to the bank for and granted facility in the sum of $2.6million in the form of an unconfirmed letter of credit for the purpose of purchasing the vessel.

In compliance with the terms and conditions of the offer, the defendant owner’s Chairman /Managing Director executed a Personal Guarantee in favour of the bank.

The owners took out another two separated facilities in the sum of N45million from the bank for the purpose of financing the importation cost, and also executed a Credit Facility Agreement with the bank, and N8million for the purpose of financing the wireline contract with Shell Petroleum & Development Company and also executed a credit facility agreement with the bank.

However, notwithstanding the above and express provisions in the offer letters, the deed of Legal Mortgage and the various Credit facility agreement, the owners have continuously refused and repeatedly failed to honour their contractual obligations despite repeated demands, as the defendant and their owners are heavily indebted to the bank as mortgage seised with the proprietary interest against the defendant’s vessel for the sum of N,1,745,824 309.30, representing the outstanding sum on the legal mortgage on the defendant vessel and the loan amount remaining unpaid from the loan agreement for the purchase of MV IGBUNU, accrued interest and other loan facility related to the transaction which sum the vessel her owners, Charterers and operators have failed to pay or any part thereof.

Consequently, the bank claims against the defendant is a total sum of N1,745,824,309.30 together with 15% interest per annum until judgement and10% post judgement interest until payment and the legal costs of instituting and prosecution of this legal action.

However, in a statement of defence filed before the court by the law firm of R. E. Wanogho & company, the defendant while denying almost all the claims of the bank averred that the bank actually financed the purchase barge and did apply for a loan from the bank to enable it to purchase the said barge.

The defendant admitted that its Chairman /Managing Director did execute a personal guarantee in favour of the bank for the original loan approved but same elapsed with the first offer letter and was not renewed when the loan was rolled over.

In the initial offer letter, the defendant was asked to provide a bond of 125% as their equity contribution, the defendant provided an insurance bond from sovereign Trust Insurance but the bank violated the terms and conditions, which includes:The bank accepted partial delivery of one vessel instead of two. The bank rolled over the loan without the knowledge of the insurance company.

The bank sent a letter to the insurance company asking them to pay up since the defendant was unable to pay same.The insurance company wrote back to the bank pointing out these violations and that they have been discharged of any liability to the bank.

The defendant averred further that it is not indebted to the bank in the sum of N1,745,824,309.30 as claimed as the bank deliberately refused to attach the statement of account for both currencies to determine the actual state of the accounts between the two parties.

The bank was alleged to have deliberately made it impossible for the plaintiff to pay up the sum owed because it holds a legal mortgage over the defendant.

Consequently, the defendant states that the claimant’s claim is misconceived, malicious, patently vexatious,gold digging and should be dismissed with substantial cost.