UMARU ATU KALGO, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal arises from a claim for the carriage of goods by sea on a charter-party. There were two ships involved which took frozen fish from Holland for delivery to the 1st appellant in Apapa, Lagos. The ships arrived in Lagos on schedule but were not off loaded by the appellants on time. This gave rise to the claim by the respondent as plaintiff in the Federal High Court, Lagos, which reads:-
"The Plaintiff's claim is for demurrage/damages for detention and ancillary discharging expenses due from the defendant in relation to M.V. NORMANDIC and M.V. KROST CASTER which vessels owned by the Plaintiff transported frozen fish from Ijmuiden, Holland for delivery to the Defendant in Apapa Lagos in December, 1987/January 1988 whereby the Defendant became liable to pay Demurrage/Damages for detention and ancillary discharging expenses pursuant to the terms of the Bills of Lading and the relevant charter parties. The Demurrage/Damage…