The Nigerian government has accused Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese company, of fraudulently misleading a Paris court to seize Nigerian assets protected by diplomatic immunity.
This accusation comes after three Nigerian aircraft were confiscated by the company amid a legal dispute.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency strongly denied any contractual obligations between the Federal Government and Zhongshan.
Onanuga stated that the seized jets, which are sovereign assets, are protected by diplomatic immunity and should not have been subject to legal action by foreign courts.
“The jets, which are on routine maintenance in France, are sovereign assets and are protected by diplomatic immunity. No foreign court has the authority to seize them,” Onanuga stated.
He accused Zhongshan of withholding vital information and misleading the Judicial Court of Paris to obtain orders against the Nigerian government’s assets.
Onanuga clarified that the ongoing legal issue is strictly between Zhongshan and the Ogun State Government, not the Federal Government.
He accused the Chinese company of attempting to take over offshore Nigerian assets “through subterfuge,” despite having no valid claim against the Federal Government.
The dispute traces back to a 2007 contract between Zhongshan and Ogun State to manage a free-trade zone.
The contract was revoked in 2015, leading to a protracted legal battle.
In 2019, arbitration awarded over $60 million against the Federal Government, despite minimal work being completed by Zhongshan.
Ogun State has successfully resisted enforcement of this award in multiple jurisdictions, with ongoing appeals in the US and UK.
Onanuga also likened Zhongshan’s actions to the notorious P&ID case, where entities have tried to defraud African governments through fraudulent claims.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is working closely with Ogun State to contest the court orders and protect national assets.
The seizure of the aircraft includes a newly acquired Airbus A330, valued at over $100 million, as well as a Dassault Falcon 7X and a Boeing 737, previously part of the Nigerian presidential fleet.
The aircraft were confiscated while undergoing maintenance at various European airports.
