The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has adjourned until October 22, 2026, to receive a report on the proposed settlement of a dispute between three indigenous houseboat contractors and the Nigerian Army over 26 months of allegedly unpaid services.

The case, filed as Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/115/2025, was instituted by Peaches Integrated Services Limited, Godswm Industrial Services Limited and Etucok Integrated Services against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe.

The plaintiffs, who provide houseboat rental services, alleged that the Nigerian Army had failed to pay for services rendered over a period of 26 months.

They are asking the court to compel the defendants to settle the outstanding rent and facilitate the release of their houseboats to enable them to carry out necessary maintenance.

When the matter came up yesterday, counsel to the plaintiffs, Reuben Wanogho, told the court that the third defendant, the Commander, JTF, Operation Delta Safe, had requested a proposal for an amicable settlement.

Wanogho therefore urged the court to give the parties time to explore an out-of-court resolution.

Based on the development, Justice Stephen Daylop Pam adjourned the case until October 22 for the parties to report on the outcome of the settlement discussions.

However, counsel to the first defendant, I.K. Diri, told the court that he was not aware of the proposed settlement.

The dispute has also taken a toll on workers of the affected companies. Recently, employees of the firms protested in Port Harcourt, lamenting the hardship caused by unpaid salaries, which they attributed to their employers’ inability to receive payment for the boat rental services.

The protesters appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene by directing the relevant authorities to settle the outstanding debt.

Other houseboat contractors operating in the Niger Delta have similarly called on the President to intervene in the dispute, urging the Federal Government to clear the outstanding bills and release their boats.