In a surprising turn of events, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese firm embroiled in a legal tussle with Nigeria, has released one of the seized Nigerian presidential jets.
The release comes ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron next week.
Zhongshan had previously secured a court order to confiscate three Nigerian presidential jets as part of a legal dispute over a $74.5 million arbitration award against Nigeria.
The company’s spokesperson told Premium Times on Friday that they decided to release the Airbus A330 as a goodwill gesture, acknowledging President Tinubu’s need for the aircraft.
Goodwill Gesture from Zhongshan
“Zhongshan has consistently sought to act reasonably and fairly in the course of a legal dispute with Nigeria, which was not of its making,” the company spokesperson stated.
“It (Zhongshan) has now been made aware that an Airbus A330, currently detained in France as a result of a French court order obtained by Zhongshan, is needed for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to travel to a scheduled meeting with President Macron of France early next week.”
“As a gesture of goodwill, Zhongshan has lifted the seizure of that aircraft immediately. This will allow it to be used for the President’s trip,” the spokesperson added.
Calls for Serious Negotiations
Zhongshan expressed its willingness to engage in serious and substantive talks with the Nigerian government to reach a reasonable compromise settlement.
“Zhongshan remains committed to talks with representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, this time serious and substantive on both sides, with a view to reaching a reasonable compromise settlement rapidly,” the spokesperson said.
Federal Government’s Stance
The development comes after the Nigerian government expressed its intent to quash the “frivolous order” obtained by Zhongshan in Paris. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, criticized the Chinese firm’s tactics and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s assets.
“The Presidency is aware of the various failed attempts by a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, to take over offshore assets of the Federal Government of Nigeria through subterfuge,” Onanuga stated.
“The Federal Government is not under any contractual obligation with the company. The case in which Zhongshan is trying to use every unorthodox means to strip our offshore assets is between the company and the Ogun State Government.”
Background of the Dispute
The dispute traces back to a 2007 contract between Zhongshan and the Ogun State Government to manage a free-trade zone.
However, the contract was revoked in 2015, with Zhongshan having only erected a perimeter fence around the designated land.
The subsequent arbitration in 2019 resulted in a $74.5 million award against Nigeria, which the Federal Government and Ogun State have been contesting in various jurisdictions.
“Material facts in the transaction between the Ogun State Government and Zhongshan point to another P&ID case in which unscrupulous and questionable individuals falsely present themselves as investors with the sole objective of cheating and scamming Governments in Africa,” Onanuga explained.
Government’s Assurance
Onanuga assured Nigerians that the government is working tirelessly to address the situation and protect the country’s assets.
“We want to assure Nigerians that the Federal Government is working with the Ogun State Government to discharge this frivolous order in Paris immediately,” he said.
“Nigerian Government will always work to protect our national assets from predators and shylocks who masquerade as investors.”
