Court Adjourns Houseboat Rent Dispute Against Nigerian Army to April 15
The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned to April 15, 2025 hearing in a suit filed against the Nigerian Army by three firms over alleged 26 months of unpaid rents and seizure of houseboats.
Presiding Judge, Justice D. S. Pam, ordered the adjournment after hearing arguments on applications and counter-applications from counsel representing both sides in Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/115/2025.
The plaintiffs—Peaches Integrated Services Ltd, Godsam Industrial Services Ltd, and Etucom Integrated Services Ltd—specialise in leasing houseboats. They allege that the Nigerian Army, through the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe, rented their boats for operations in the Niger Delta but failed to pay rent and unlawfully seized the vessels.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mbata Chiburoma, urged the court to compel payment of outstanding rents and order the release of the boats for maintenance. In response, counsel to the second and third defendants, U. J. Chiedozie, raised a preliminary objection, which was countered by the plaintiffs through a counter-affidavit.
Following submissions, Justice Pam adjourned the matter to April 15 for hearing of all applications.
Outside the courtroom, workers of the affected firms staged a peaceful protest, carrying placards demanding the release of the boats and payment of arrears. They lamented unpaid salaries and appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to intervene.
Speaking to journalists, counsel to the plaintiffs noted that the boats were deteriorating due to lack of maintenance, stressing optimism that justice would be served. Protesters, led by Dennis Linus Ayaraekpe, decried the hardship faced by workers and families, insisting that despite several efforts—including meetings with former defence chiefs—the matter remains unresolved.
