A Manx court says it can't enforce a judgement delivered by a Nigerian court in a case involving an oil company and its former general manager.

Petrodel Resources Limited sued Timothy Le Breton earlier this year, claiming he had breached his contract by failing to carry out his duties.

The firm won the case in a Lagos State High Court in Igbosere, when Justice Morenike Obadina ordered Mr LeBreton to pay $500,000.

However, Deemster Corlett has ruled that judgement cannot be enforced in the Isle of Man.

The company wanted the Manx court to enforce the judgement because it suspected Mr LeBreton had assets on the Island.

But the hearing was told Mr LeBreton, who lives in Monaco, hadn't taken part in the court action in Nigeria.

Deemster Corlett said that meant he had effectively refused to recognise the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.

He said because of that, he couldn't grant the application to have the judgement enforced.