The Citizens Whistleblowers Coalition (CWC) has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, calling for probe of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) over alleged “unfair business practices.
In the petition, jointly signed by CWC officials Nafiu Ibrahim, Ella Susan, and Dodeye Okoi Arikpo, the group accused MSC of engaging in actions detrimental to Nigerian businesses, including the illegal detention of shipments, excessive demurrage charges, and the imposition of unjust container deposit fees.
“We write to bring to your kind attention the ill treatment and oppression of Nigerians in the hands of MSC. Over the years, MSC has perpetrated unfair business practices, including unlawful detention of shipments and unjust demurrage charges,” the petition stated.
The coalition also alleged that MSC has defied multiple official directives and oversight efforts.
According to the group, the company has snubbed invitations from the National Assembly and ignored a directive from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, which ordered a shift from container deposit fees to an indemnity scheme to ease the financial burden on Nigerian shippers.
A major point of concern raised by the petition is MSC’s use of an exclusive jurisdiction clause in its Bill of Lading, which compels legal disputes to be settled in London rather than Nigerian courts.
“One of the most oppressive clauses in MSC’s Bill of Lading is its exclusive jurisdiction provision, which prevents Nigerians from suing the company in Nigeria,” the petition noted. “This has caused severe hardship for Nigerian shippers, forcing them to incur huge expenses to litigate cases in the UK.”
The CWC also criticised the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for its silence in the face of persistent complaints against MSC. They called on President Tinubu to direct the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to conduct a tax audit of the company.
“We are committed to combating corruption and unfair business practices while advocating for good governance,” the group added. “We urge the President to intervene, investigate MSC, and compel the company to comply with Nigerian laws and respect our court system.”
