Introduction
This paper considers the recent developments in Nigerian Ship
Arrest Law – the Admiralty Jurisdiction Procedure Rules
(AJPR) 2011 for the Federal High Court of Nigeria (FHC), and its
effect on ship arrest practice.
The new AJPR 2011 (the New Rules) was made by the Chief Judge of
the FHC (CJF)1 on 1st March 2011 and came into force on
14th March 2011. This is pursuant to section 254 of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 19992
and section 21 of the Admiralty Jurisdiction Act (AJA)
19913 which empower the CJF to make rules of practice
and procedure for the FHC and to carry into effect the objects of
the AJA. Together, the AJA and the AJPR govern admiralty matters in
Nigeria, with the FHC as the court of first instance. The admiralty
jurisdiction of the FHC is well stated in the AJA4,
whilst the AJPR provides the procedure for the exercise of its
jurisdiction. Appeals from the FHC lie to the Court of Appeal and
the Supreme Court.
