Section 25: Evidence on first registration

(1)
An applicant for the registration of a ship in Nigeria on the first registration of the ship shall produce the following evidence in addition to the declaration of ownership-
(a)
in the case of a ship built in a foreign country, a certificate signed by the builder of the ship, and containing a true account of:
(i) the proper denomination and tonnage of the ship as estimated by the applicant,
(ii) the time when, and the place where, the ship was built,
(iii) the name of the person, if any, on whose account the ship was built,
(iv) if there has been any sale, the bill of sale under which the ship, or a share in the ship has become vested in the applicant for registration; and
(b)
in the case of a ship that has been sold by any competent court, an official copy of the bill of sale.
(2)
Where a declarant under subsection (1) of this section, makes the declaration of ownership of a ship and declares that the time and place of the building of the ship are unknown to him, or that the builder's certificate cannot be procured, the declarant shall be required to produce only the bill of sale under which the ship or a share in the ship, became vested in the applicant for registration.
(3)
The owner or applicant for the registration of a ship built in Nigeria, may request the builder of the ship to deliver to the owner a signed certificate containing the particulars specified in paragraph (a) of subsections (1) and (2) of this section and the builder shall, when so requested, deliver the certificate.
(4)
A builder who fails to comply with subsection (3) of this section or wilfully makes a false statement in a certificate given under that subsection, commits an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine not less than three hundred thousand Naira.
(5)
In this section, "builder", in the case of a ship built in Nigeria, includes any person to whom the Minister grants a licence to carry on the business of builder of a ship, and in the case of a ship built in a foreign country, includes any person who is recognised in accordance with the law of that country.