Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE has been dragged before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of illegally detaining the vessel MT Stena Sunshine. The high-profile case, marked FHC/L/CS/639/2025, pits the refinery against the vessel’s owners and its captain, Shivkumar Sherkhane, alongside Rana Satendra. Justice Akintayo Aluko issued an interim order directing the immediate release of the oil tanker upon submission of a $300,000 Letter of Undertaking from GARD Protection & Indemnity Club.
The legal battle stems from an incident on March 14, 2025, with the vessel owners seeking protection against further detention or harassment. While the court granted partial relief by ordering the ship’s release against the $300,000 guarantee, it rejected the applicants’ request for broader injunctive relief against Dangote Refinery’s staff. Court filings reveal the plaintiffs initially proposed a $200,000 security, but Justice Aluko set the higher amount based on the submitted documentation dated April 8, 2025.
Dangote Refinery’s May 27 Hearing Date Approaches
The case has been adjourned to May 27 for hearing of the substantive suit, where the vessel owners seek permanent protections against alleged violations of their fundamental rights. Court documents outline 19 grounds of argument supported by 14-paragraph affidavits, while Dangote’s legal team has filed an 11-paragraph counter-affidavit. The dispute centers on whether the refinery overstepped its rights in detaining the vessel and whether the $300,000 security provides adequate protection for Dangote’s claims.
What Happens Now
This high-stakes legal battle puts Africa’s largest oil refinery under scrutiny at a time when Nigeria seeks to position itself as a regional energy hub.
There is little doubt that the case could set important precedents for vessel detention protocols and maritime dispute resolution in Nigerian waters. The court’s requirement for formal filing of the Letter of Undertaking shows judicial caution in balancing the interests of both multinational shipping operators and domestic energy infrastructure developers.
