Chinese firm releases one of seized presidential jet as President Tinubu is set to meet with French President
Chinese firm releases one of seized presidential jet as President Tinubu is set to meet with French President
Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd has disclosed that it has agreed to release one of the three Nigerian Airbus A330 aircraft that had been detained in France under a Paris court order.
In a statement issued on Friday, the company described the release as a goodwill gesture, recognizing that Nigerian President Ahmed Bola Tinubu needs the aircraft for an upcoming important meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The statement read: “Zhongshan has consistently acted reasonably and fairly in a legal dispute with Nigeria, which it did not initiate. The company has been informed that an Airbus A330, currently detained in France due to a French court order obtained by Zhongshan, is needed by the President of Nigeria for his upcoming meeting with President Macron next week. As a goodwill gesture, Zhongshan has lifted the seizure, allowing the aircraft to be used for the President’s trip.”
The spokesperson for Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd reiterated the company’s dedication to continuing negotiations with the Nigerian government, aiming for a swift and fair resolution.
On Thursday, the Nigerian Federal Government announced it had initiated legal action to challenge the temporary seizure of the three presidential Airbus A330s in France. The aircraft, which were undergoing routine maintenance, were detained following ex parte orders from the Paris Judicial Court issued on March 7 and August 12, 2024. These orders were obtained by Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd, a Chinese firm seeking to enforce a 2021 arbitral award against Ogun State, a Nigerian regional authority.
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 both the National Security Adviser and the Attorney-General of the Federation are actively pursuing legal and diplomatic avenues to secure the release of the aircraft. Ogundele stressed that these aircraft are sovereign assets, utilized solely for state functions, and thus should be immune from seizure.
In response, Zhongshan Fucheng reaffirmed its confidence in the arbitral ruling, which was unanimously in the company’s favor. The spokesperson underscored that courts in various countries have upheld the arbitral award, reinforcing the legitimacy of the company’s claims.
“Zhongshan has only sought to assert its rights under international law and remains confident in its case. The independent arbitral panel found unanimously in our favor, and courts in several countries have affirmed the panel’s award of compensation. The French court had all the relevant facts when it made its decision,” the spokesperson stated.
