The National Industrial Court in Lagos has ordered Delta Marine Shipping Company to pay three former crew members a total of ₦24.5 million in unpaid wages for services rendered between April 2019 and June 2021.
Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice (Dr.) Isaac Essien of the Lagos Judicial Division directed the company to pay Akegor Mudiaga Micheal, Lambert Chimankpa Nsoha, and John Silvanus Boham within seven days. The court also awarded ₦1 million in costs against the company.
Justice Essien ruled in favour of the three seafarers after finding that the evidence they presented had not been challenged by Delta Marine Shipping Company. The court held that the claimants had established that they were owed wages under their respective employment contracts and were entitled to recover the outstanding salaries for services rendered onboard MT. Favour.
According to court documents, the three seafarers instituted the suit to recover wages earned while working for Delta Marine Shipping Company under their respective contracts of employment.
The claimants told the court that they had faithfully carried out their duties onboard the vessel but were not paid their salaries for the period between April 2019 and June 2021, despite making several demands to the company.
They further stated that they had written complaint and reminder letters to the Managing Director of Delta Marine Shipping Company and the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) regarding the unpaid wages, but received no response.
The court noted that Delta Marine Shipping Company neither entered an appearance nor filed a defence. It also failed to cross-examine the claimants’ sole witness, prompting the court to close its opportunity to present a defence.
In his judgment, Justice Essien held that the evidence tendered by the claimants—including their employment contracts, seamen’s records, certificates of discharge, complaint letters, and the schedule of outstanding salaries—remained unchallenged and uncontroverted.
The judge ruled that the evidence clearly established the claimants’ entitlement to recover their outstanding wages from Delta Marine Shipping Company.
Justice Essien further held that the claimants had successfully discharged the burden of proof required by law and were therefore entitled to judgment for the unpaid wages claimed for services rendered onboard MT. Favour between April 2019 and June 2021.
