Facts:

This is an appeal emanating from the ruling of the Federal High Court where the appellants as defendants were sued by the respondents as plaintiffs. The 1st appellant is a container ship while the 1st respondent is renowned manufacturer of plastic water storage tank in Nigeria. The 1st respondent had some of its goods transported by the 1st appellant. Upon berthing within the Lagos port, a fire incident occurred on board the 1st appellant which led to the destruction of the 1st respondent’s goods. Aggrieved by the incident the 1st respondent instituted an action at the lower court against the appellants seeking for certain monetary reliefs as compensation for the loss incurred. In response, the appellants objected to the suit on grounds of lack of jurisdiction. In its ruling the lower court dismissed appellants’ objection.
Dissatisfied by the ruling of the lower court the appellants appealed to the court of appeal.