Legal Question in Business Law in Nigeria

I imported a car from the USA. The shipping line mistakenly dropped the car in Benin Republic whereas the car was meant to come to Nigeria. The shipping company apologised and persuaded that i clear the vehicle through cotonou by returning my shipping cost. They gave a contact of their agent in Cotonou to me to meet and collect the car. The agent confirmed receipt of the car but told me the car got lost while the Stevedoring company was handling it. They told me that the Stevedoring agreed to pay back the cost of the car. But for two months plus now, nothing seems coming forth from them rather they keep tussing me up and down. Can i institute a legal suit against the agent of the shipping company who took the car and equally demand for damages, since they are the one that secured the services of the stevedoring company or is it the shipping line itself that i would have to institute legal action against? Please advice


Asked on 10/20/09, 8:30 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Okey Onyekanma Inns Law Firm

The shipping line would be your best bet. this would depend on the agreement you have with them. The owe you a duty to exercise reasonable care on your car and also to deliver accordding to your instruction.

Shipping the car to cotonu was outside your instruction and any after fall is traceable to their negligence. they should actually have made efforts to get the car to nigeria when the mistake in the shipping was noticed.

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Answered on 10/20/09, 4:54 pm


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