The Nigerian government announced the initiation of diplomatic and legal measures aimed at reclaiming three presidential jets that were confiscated in France due to outstanding debts.
The National Security Adviser’s office, along with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, is actively pursuing these avenues to ensure the return of the aircraft.
According to a statement released by the Attorney General in Abuja, the debt that resulted in the seizure pertains to a financial obligation incurred by the Ogun State Government through a contract with a Chinese firm.
The statement elaborated: “On August 14, 2024, the Nigerian Federal Government learned of the provisional seizure of three presidential aircraft, which were undergoing regular maintenance in France.
“This temporary seizure was executed following ex-parte orders issued by the Paris Judicial Court on March 7, 2024, and August 12, 2024.
“The orders were requested by Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese enterprise aiming to enforce a final arbitration award that was granted to it on March 26, 2021, concerning a dispute with Ogun State.”
The statement further explained that the arbitration stemmed from a contractual disagreement that began in 2018 between the Chinese company and the Ogun State Government regarding the management of the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone.
It emphasized that while the dispute originated from Ogun State’s dealings, the enforcement actions are being directed against the Federal Government and its assets, consistent with international legal principles that attribute the actions of local entities to the nation as a whole.
The National Security Adviser and the Attorney General have already initiated both diplomatic and legal strategies to contest the unjust orders regarding the jets, which are protected under sovereign immunity.
The government reiterated its stance that these aircraft are sovereign assets utilized exclusively for official purposes and, therefore, should be exempt from seizure as sought by Zhongshan.
