A legal battle is brewing as the Citizens Whistleblowers Coalition (CWC) accuses Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) of attempting to sidestep Nigeria’s judicial authority. The group alleges that MSC secured an ex parte anti-suit injunction from the High Court in London (Suit No: CL-2024-000700) to prevent a Nigerian company from pursuing an admiralty case within the country.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Nafiu Ibrahim, Head of Research and Monitoring at CWC, revealed that MSC is relying on an exclusive jurisdiction clause in its terms of engagement, which designates London’s High Court as the sole arbiter for disputes concerning its shipping services. The clause allegedly allows MSC to sue Nigerian companies worldwide while restricting Nigerian businesses to legal action only in London.
CWC strongly condemned the move, calling it an assault on Nigeria’s sovereignty and legal framework. The group cited Section 20 of the Admiralty Jurisdiction Act, which nullifies agreements that attempt to exclude Nigerian courts from cases where the place of delivery or performance is in Nigeria or where any party involved resides in the country.
The coalition also raised concerns over MSC’s alleged exploitative practices, particularly its demurrage and detention charges, arguing that forcing Nigerians to litigate abroad worsens the existing imbalance. “MSC profits significantly from Nigeria but appears to disregard its laws. This situation demands urgent intervention from the Nigerian Presidency, National Assembly, and judiciary,” the statement read.
CWC further called for a comprehensive investigation into MSC’s activities in Nigeria, including its tax compliance, questioning whether a company resisting Nigeria’s legal system might also be avoiding its financial obligations. The coalition emphasized that despite MSC’s status as one of the world’s largest shipping firms, with over 200,000 employees and annual revenues exceeding €86 billion, it must operate within the legal frameworks of the countries where it does business.
