Nigeria’s Presidential Jet Released by Chinese Firm Ahead of Tinubu’s France Trip
In a surprise move, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited has lifted the seizure of one of Nigeria’s presidential aircraft, an Airbus A330, detained in France. The release comes as a “gesture of goodwill” to allow President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to use the aircraft for his upcoming meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, scheduled for early next week.
The Chinese firm had obtained a court order in Paris to seize three Nigerian aircraft over a legal dispute with the Ogun State government. The seizure was carried out following ex parte orders issued by the Judicial Court of Paris on March 7 and August 12, 2024.
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 said, “It 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.”
The Federal Government had initiated legal steps to address the interim attachment of the three presidential aircraft in France. Kamarudeen Ogundele, Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Publicity at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, confirmed that the Offices of the National Security Adviser and Attorney-General of the Federation are pursuing both legal and diplomatic measures to secure the release of the aircraft. Zhongshan remains committed to negotiations with the Nigerian government, seeking a “reasonable compromise” to the issue. The company has confidence in its case, citing a unanimous arbitral panel decision in its favor and subsequent court upholding in multiple countries.”
