In a dramatic legal development, a French court has seized three Nigerian presidential jets following a contract dispute involving the Ogun State Government and Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese company.
The seizure is the latest twist in a protracted legal battle that began in 2007 when Ogun State entered into a contract with Zhongshan for managing a free-trade zone.
The agreement unraveled, and the contract was revoked in 2015. Zhongshan subsequently pursued arbitration, leading to a tribunal award of $74.5 million in compensation, which the Ogun State Government disputes and has yet to pay.
To enforce the compensation award, Zhongshan obtained a court order from the Judicial Court of Paris, resulting in the grounding of three Nigerian presidential jets. This move has sparked significant controversy and criticism from Nigerian officials. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Governor of Ogun State on Media and Strategy, condemned the action, alleging that Zhongshan misled the French court about the nature of the assets. Akinmade described the seizure as an unfair tactic and likened it to the infamous P&ID case, suggesting it is part of a pattern of foreign entities attempting to defraud Nigerian interests.
In response to the escalating situation, Zhongshan has released one of the seized jets. The company cited a gesture of goodwill, noting that the aircraft is needed for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s upcoming meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. Zhongshan’s spokesperson emphasized the firm’s intention to act fairly and resolve the dispute through negotiations.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has strongly criticized Zhongshan’s actions. Onanuga argued that the Nigerian government is not contractually obligated to Zhongshan, and that the company’s attempts to seize assets through unorthodox means are unfounded. He assured that the Nigerian government, in collaboration with the Ogun State Government, is working to overturn the seizure and protect national assets.
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As the legal battle continues, both the Ogun State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria are focused on resolving the dispute and reclaiming the seized jets. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions and legal maneuvers expected to shape the outcome in the coming weeks.
