Ogun State Govt. condemned seizure of three presidential aircraft

The Ogun State Government has condemned the recent seizure of three Nigerian government-owned aircraft in France by Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd. (“Zhongshan”).

The aircraft, which are part of Nigeria’s presidential fleet, were provisionally attached by the Chinese company following orders from the Judicial Court of Paris on March 7 and August 12, 2024.

According to Ogun State officials, these orders were obtained without proper notice being given to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Ogun State, or their legal representatives.

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In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ogun State expressed its outrage over the seizure of the three presidential aircraft, describing it as the latest in a series of misguided attempts by Zhongshan to claim Nigerian assets in foreign jurisdictions. Despite these efforts, the state noted that none of these actions have resulted in any financial recovery for the Chinese company.

The Ogun State Government emphasized that the seized aircraft are used exclusively for sovereign purposes and are therefore protected under international and French law, making them immune from such attachments. The statement further accused Zhongshan of deliberately withholding critical information from Nigerian authorities and misleading the French court about the nature and use of the aircraft.

Ogun State, in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, has reportedly taken swift legal action to lift the provisional attachments. The statement drew parallels between this incident and the infamous P&ID case, characterizing both as attempts by “unscrupulous individuals masquerading as foreign investors” to defraud Nigeria and Ogun State.

The dispute between Ogun State and Zhongshan dates back to a 2007 contract for the management of a free-trade zone. Arbitration between the parties began in 2016, culminating in a 2019 award of over $60 million against the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Ogun State Government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, has resisted the enforcement of this award, citing it as an unjust decision that would harm the state’s resources.

Ogun State officials revealed that despite ongoing legal battles, the state had engaged in settlement discussions with Zhongshan. However, these negotiations broke down after the Chinese firm insisted on the full payment of the debt. Ogun State continues to pursue a reasonable settlement, but accuses Zhongshan of acting in bad faith by resorting to enforcement proceedings.

The statement concluded by reaffirming Ogun State’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s assets and resisting any attempts at extortion. The state government expressed regret over any embarrassment caused to the Federal Government and the Nigerian people, while pledging to vacate the court order as quickly as possible.

Ogun State also reiterated its willingness to reach a fair settlement with Zhongshan, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing legal dispute.

The statement was signed by Hon. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor of Ogun State.

OUR STAND ON ZHONGSHAN’S SUBTERFUGE AND PARIS COURT’S SEIZURE ORDER—-OGUN STATE GOVERNMENT

On 14 August 2024, the attention of the @OGSG_Official was drawn to the provisional attachment of three Nigerian government owned aircrafts in France by the Chinese company, Zhongshan… pic.twitter.com/c5VHkVVE7b

— Ogun State Government – OGSG (@OGSG_Official) August 15, 2024