CHINWE EUGENIA IYIZOBA, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The Respondent as the Plaintiff at the Federal High Court, Lagos Division brought this action against the Appellants, who were sued as Defendants, claiming the following reliefs in paragraph 23 of its Statement of Claim:
1. A DECLARATION that the indefinite detention of the plaintiffs Vessel, M.T. AGBOMIEN by the Defendants since 14th March 2006 pursuant to a Ship's Detention order Reference NMA/APP/006/01 dated 14th March 2006 on ground of UNSEAWORTHINESS is unlawful, unjustified, unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.
2. AN ORDER SETTING ASIDE the Ship's Detention Order dated 14th March 2006 and directing the Defendants to release the Plaintiff's vessel M.T. AGBOMIEN unconditionally.
3. A DECLARATION that the unlawful detention of the Plaintiffs Vessel, M.T. AGBOMIEN by the Defendants occasioned and facilitated the subsequent theft of 63 metric tons of kerosene valued at N5.02 Million aboard the Plaintiff's vessel …