COMTUA Dares AMATO: Produce Your CAC Certificate, Refund N300,000 Extorted From Drivers
By Ambrose Obioma Okehi (News Emperor)
The Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) has berated the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) over what it described as a “watery and shameful defence” put up by its representative, Mr. Seyi Mordecai, at the tripartite mediation meeting convened by the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) on 16th September, 2026.
In a press statement signed by Wole Joseph ‘Kayaja on behalf of COMTUA, the Council said Mr. Mordecai, having failed to provide any documentary justification for the alleged extortion of N300,000 from two innocent truck drivers at Zarmmak Terminal, resorted to technicalities bordering on locus standi and alleged bias by NPERA officials, both of which it described as dead on arrival.
On Locus Standi, COMTUA says it is a desperate escape route.
According to the statement, NPERA, in its wisdom, refused to be distracted by the argument and ruled that extortion is extortion, no matter who reports it, and consequently directed AMATO to refund the money.
“For the records, the issue of the status of parties has been referred to the appropriate department of NPERA for determination under a separate petition. That is the procedure,” COMTUA stated.
It added that even at that, the President of COMTUA, Prince Adeyinka Aroyewun, presented irrefutable documents proving COMTUA’s legal status, including a Magistrate Court judgement in favour of COMTUA and Federal High Court Suit No: FHC/L/CS/545/2025 – Adeyinka Aroyewun & Others for themselves and on behalf of COMTUA VS Attorney General of the Federation, NPA, FIRS & Others – which is still subsisting.
“If AMATO doubts our locus, let them go and join the Federal High Court suit. You cannot extort money and ask who reported you,” the statement said.
On Alleged Bias, COMTUA says AMATO’s representative apologized openly.
COMTUA disclosed that Mr. Seyi Mordecai had shamelessly accused the NPERA mediation team of bias, but when confronted to substantiate his claim, he withdrew his statement and openly apologized at the meeting.
“NPERA resolution captured his apology. A man who apologizes for false accusations against a federal regulator has lost all credibility. We commend NPERA for not descending to his level. The Agency remained unbiased, professional, and fatherly,” COMTUA said.
Questioning AMATO’s Legal Existence
The Council further questioned the corporate existence of AMATO, stating that a search conducted at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) revealed no registered Incorporated Trustee known as “Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO)”.
“What exists is an obscure name: ‘Association of Maritime Truck Owners of Lagos’ which is unpopular and unknown in the industry. AMATO can produce its CAC certificate or write out its RC number to prove us wrong,” it challenged.
COMTUA also queried the disclaimer by AMATO over its representative, asking: “If AMATO claims Seyi Mordecai did not represent them, we ask: Who then represented AMATO? No other person showed up to defend the petition. You cannot disown your own representative after he failed woefully. That is cowardice.”
“We sincerely sympathize with AMATO if this is the quality of personality they have to represent them at a high-level regulatory meeting. We want to advise the general public to be wary of this individual. He is not a truck owner, has no truck, no stake in the maritime transport chain beyond noisy advocacy and extortion,” the statement added.
COMTUA maintained its demand that AMATO should stop hiding behind technicalities and refund the N300,000 before Monday, 21st September, 2026, as directed by NPERA and submit evidence to the agency.
“Extortion in the name of association must stop. A word is enough for the wise,” it concluded.