The Nigerian government has uncovered and is aggressively countering an attempt by a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, to seize Nigerian presidential jets in Paris. This bold move by the Chinese firm has been labeled fraudulent and baseless by the Nigerian presidency, which is determined to protect the nation’s assets from what it describes as predatory actions by foreign entities.
Presidency Slams Chinese Firm’s Legal Tactics
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the incident in a recent statement, condemning the Chinese company’s attempt to strip Nigeria of its offshore assets. Onanuga described the legal actions taken by Zhongshan Fucheng as an underhanded effort to exploit Nigeria, emphasizing that the Federal Government has no contractual obligations with the company.
According to Onanuga, the case at the center of this controversy stems from a dispute between Zhongshan and the Ogun State Government over a free-trade zone project initiated in 2007. The contract was revoked in 2015 after the Chinese company failed to make significant progress on the project, beyond constructing a perimeter fence.
Despite the revocation, Zhongshan Fucheng has pursued aggressive legal actions in various jurisdictions, seeking to attach Nigerian government assets abroad. “The federal government is fully aware of efforts being made by the Ogun State government to reach an amicable resolution to the matter,” Onanuga stated. However, he asserted that the Chinese firm has no solid ground to demand restitution, accusing them of misleading foreign courts to gain unjust judgments against Nigeria.
Legal Battle Over Sovereign Assets
The Nigerian government’s legal team, in collaboration with Ogun State, has been actively resisting Zhongshan’s attempts to enforce arbitration awards and seize assets, including presidential jets undergoing routine maintenance in France. Onanuga highlighted that these jets are protected by diplomatic immunity, making any court order to attach them illegal under international law.
Zhongshan Fucheng previously tried and failed to enforce its claims in the United Kingdom and the United States, where courts sided with Nigeria’s arguments. However, despite these setbacks, the company recently obtained two controversial orders from the Judicial Court of Paris—one in March and another in August 2024—without duly notifying the Nigerian government or Ogun State.
Onanuga accused Zhongshan of using “arm-twisting tactics” similar to those seen in the notorious P&ID case, where foreign companies attempted to defraud Nigeria through deceptive means. Moreover, he stated, “We are convinced the Chinese company misled the Judicial Court of Paris regarding the use and nature of the assets it seeks to attach and did not fully disclose to the court as required by law.”
Ongoing Negotiations and National Security Concerns
While the legal battles continue, the Nigerian government remains open to a reasonable settlement with Zhongshan Fucheng. Moreover, previous discussions between the Ogun State Government and the Chinese company in 2023 ended in a stalemate after Zhongshan reversed its position on a proposed settlement.
The Nigerian government, however, is not backing down. Onanuga assured Nigerians that all necessary steps are being taken to discharge the illegal orders obtained in Paris and to safeguard the country’s assets. “The Nigerian Government will always work to protect our national assets from predators and shylocks who masquerade as investors,” he emphasized.
The Nigerian government’s stance is clear: it will not allow foreign entities to exploit its resources or tarnish its reputation through deceptive legal maneuvers. Moreover, as the situation develops, the collaboration between the Federal Government and Ogun State is crucial in ensuring that Nigeria’s assets remain secure and that justice prevails in the international arena.
Source: Vanguard
