A logistics and oil & gas company, Telford & Co. Ltd, has issued an ultimatum to the Nigerian Army, demanding the immediate release of its truck and products, valued at a total of N162 million.
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The firm alleges that the truck and its cargo were illegally seized by the Nigerian Army’s 34 Brigade Headquarters in Obinze, near Owerri in Imo State, despite documentary evidence proving the legitimacy of the truck’s load from an authorized facility.
According to a letter written by the company’s lawyers, Douglas Ogbankwa Law Firm, the incident occurred on March 11, 2024, when the firm’s drivers, Godday Okocha and Odion Ehiabhi, loaded their truck with 40,000 liters of diesel (AGO) from Total, a major oil marketer. The truck, with registration number ABH102XA, chassis number LZGJDDM11AX0S2833, engine number 1510D016193, and waybill number 3126479335, was en route to Awka when it was intercepted by military personnel attached to the 34 Brigade Headquarters on March 13, 2024.
The drivers were allegedly locked up for four days, and the truck, valued at N100 million, along with its cargo of diesel worth N62 million, was detained by the military. Although the drivers were released on the fifth day, the truck and its contents remain in the custody of the 34 Brigade Headquarters.
Telford & Co. Ltd’s legal representatives argue that the Nigerian Army has no jurisdiction over petroleum-related issues and no right to detain the truck and its cargo without a court order. They view these actions as a gross violation of order and have called upon the Chief of Army Staff to investigate the matter, stating that the army’s conduct brings the revered institution into mockery and disrepute.
The company has warned that failure to promptly investigate and address the issue will leave them with no choice but to seek legal recourse through the judiciary. The incident has raised concerns about the alleged overreach of military personnel in matters outside their jurisdiction and the potential impact on businesses operating within the oil and gas sector.
As the situation unfolds, the public awaits the Nigerian Army’s response to these serious allegations and hopes for a swift resolution that upholds the principles of justice and the rule of law.
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