The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has given the Nigerian Army and three indigenous houseboat contractors another opportunity to resolve a dispute over 33 months of allegedly unpaid rental services.
Justice Stephen Pam, on Monday, adjourned the case until October 22, 2026, for the parties to report back to the court on the outcome of ongoing settlement efforts.
The suit was filed by Peaches Integrated Services Limited, Etucom Integrated Services Limited and Godsam Industrial Services Limited against the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe, among others.
The contractors, who provide houseboats used in military operations across the Niger Delta, are asking the court to compel the defendants to pay outstanding rents allegedly accumulated over a period of 33 months.
They are also seeking the release of their houseboats to enable them to carry out maintenance and restore the vessels to service.
At Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Reuben Wanogho, told the court that the third defendant, the Commander of JTF, Operation Delta Safe, had requested a proposal as part of efforts to reach an amicable settlement.
Wanogho urged the court to allow the parties additional time to explore the settlement option, expressing optimism that the dispute could be resolved without further litigation.
In his ruling, Justice Pam adjourned the matter until October 22, directing the parties to return and update the court on the outcome of the settlement process.
However, counsel to the first defendant, I.K. Diri, informed the court that he was not aware of the proposed settlement initiative.
The latest development comes against the backdrop of a recent protest by workers of the affected companies in Port Harcourt over the alleged prolonged non-payment for houseboats hired by the Nigerian Army.
The workers claimed that the situation had caused severe financial hardship, affecting their livelihoods, with some allegedly owed salaries while struggling to meet family obligations.
They appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and urge the relevant authorities to settle the outstanding obligations.
The workers and contractors said resolving the dispute would help ease the financial pressure on the indigenous companies, protect jobs and safeguard the livelihoods of their employees.
The contractors also appealed to the Federal Government to facilitate payment of the outstanding bills and secure the release of their boats.
They expressed hope that the October 22 settlement report would provide a pathway toward resolving the dispute, allowing them to recover their vessels, undertake necessary maintenance and return them to service.
