……. Council Discontinues Intervention as Matter is Subject of Police Investigation and Court Proceedings
A tripartite meeting was held at the Complaints Unit Meeting Room of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Headquarters, Lagos, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The Head Complaints Unit, Dr. Bashir Ambi, commenced the meeting by introducing himself and welcoming all participants. He explained the NSC’s statutory mandate and the specific function of the Complaints Unit in resolving trade-related disputes. He further informed the parties that the meeting was held with the approval of the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima, Esq., MON, FCILT, Ph.D.
Dr. Ambi asked the case handler, Ijeoma Ugwu, an Assistant Chief Operations Officer, to summarize the complaint. She reported that NSC received a complaint lodged by Prime Agencies Nigeria Limited against Unity Bonded Terminal. The complaint bordered on allegations of conspiracy, stealing by diversion, false accusation, and the unlawful blockage of Prime Agency operations with Maersk Nigeria.
Representing Maersk Nigeria at the meeting was Mr. Marcus Lawrence, Mr. Kenneth Nwando, (Prime Agencies Nigeria Limited) and Barrister Ndubisi Augustine, Esq (Unity Bonded Terminal)
During the meeting, Mr. Kenneth Nwando of Prime Agencies explained that the issue arose from a Maersk container that was assigned to one of their transporters who has since absconded with the said container. He alleged that there was an element of conspiracy involved, citing that two separate Equipment Interchange Receipts (EIRs) were issued to his Company, both of which contained the names of two staff members of Unity Bonded Terminal.
In response, Barrister Ndubisi Augustine, representing Unity Bonded Terminal, informed the meeting that there is an ongoing investigation into a container fraud racket involving several individuals, two of whom are already in Police custody. He stated that since the transporter engaged by Prime Agencies was the last known person in possession of the missing container and has absconded, Unity Bonded Terminal cannot be held liable for the loss.
Mr. Marcus Lawrence, representing Maersk Line, confirmed that the container in question has not yet been returned. He further stated that Maersk Line had given Prime Agencies two options for resolving the issue: either to locate and return the missing container or to pay the depreciated value (DV) of the container, after which the blockage placed on Prime agency account would be lifted. He also noted that the case is currently a subject of ongoing police investigation and is before a court of law, classifying it as a criminal matter (a global standard classification for “Theft and Fraud” disputes).
Resolutions Reached:
- The Nigerian Shippers’ Council affirmed, based on the evidence provided by Maersk and the agent, that the container has not been returned to Maersk Nigeria Ltd.
- The Nigerian Shippers’ Council will discontinue its handling of the matter since it is already before a court of competent jurisdiction.
- In the spirit of trade facilitation, the Council advised Prime Agencies Nigeria Limited to make every effort to locate and return the missing container so that Maersk Line can lift the operational blockage placed on their agency.
