The ongoing controversy over the seizure of Nigerian presidential jets in Paris, France, has taken a new twist as two former Ogun State governors, Ibikunle Amosun and Gbenga Daniel, have publicly addressed their involvement in the matter.
Amosun: A Business Dispute Between Chinese Entities
Ibikunle Amosun, who served as Ogun State Governor from 2011 to 2019, characterized the situation as a “Chinese against Chinese” dispute. He emphasized his willingness to cooperate with government agencies to ensure Nigeria is not defrauded by Zhongfu International Investment Co. Ltd or any other party.
Amosun explained that during his tenure, a business dispute erupted between two Chinese companies—China Africa Investment FXE and Zhongfu International Investment FXE—over management rights of the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ). He stated that Zhongfu, under the guise of being a concerned tenant, provided misleading information to undermine China Africa Investment FXE and gain control over the Free Trade Zone. This led to the temporary appointment of Zhongfu as Interim Zone Manager in 2012, a decision that was later reversed after the Chinese government clarified the rightful ownership.
Daniel: Clarifying the Role of His Administration
Gbenga Daniel, who governed Ogun State from 2003 to 2011, also weighed in, asserting that his administration had no involvement in the legal disputes currently before the courts and arbitration. In a statement, Daniel clarified that the ongoing legal battles are unrelated to the establishment of the Free Trade Zone during his tenure but rather concern the termination of a management contract in 2016. He expressed his commitment to assisting the Federal Government in finding a diplomatic resolution to the issue and urged caution in public commentary, citing the ongoing legal proceedings in multiple jurisdictions.
Seizure of Presidential Jets
The controversy came to light last Thursday when it was reported that three Nigerian presidential jets, including a newly acquired Airbus A330 valued at over $100 million, were seized by a French court. The court’s decision followed a prolonged legal dispute involving Ogun State and Zhongshan Fucheng. The seizure order was granted after Zhongfu International Investment Co. Ltd sought enforcement of a €74 million arbitral award, which had not been honored by Nigeria.
Court Orders and Legal Proceedings
A report by Premium Times indicated that the French court’s order mandated the protective seizure of the jets to secure Zhongfu’s claim. The aircraft, which includes a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737, and the Airbus A330, were either part of the Nigerian presidential fleet or had been recently purchased by the government.
Amosun’s Stance: No Grounds for Negotiation
Amosun further elaborated that his administration had acted in line with diplomatic advice from the Chinese government, which confirmed China Africa Investment FXE as the rightful investor. He recalled that Zhongfu lost multiple court cases in Nigeria and that his government had taken steps, in consultation with relevant agencies, to terminate Zhongfu’s management rights in 2016.
Amosun also dismissed claims that his administration used security forces to intimidate or harass any party involved in the dispute, suggesting that any such incidents were likely the result of tensions between the rival Chinese companies.
He urged the Nigerian government to handle the matter with the same rigor applied in the P&ID case, warning against negotiating with Zhongfu, which he described as an “unlawful entity.” Amosun reiterated his readiness to support government efforts to protect Nigeria’s assets from what he termed an unacceptable attempt to appropriate the country’s sovereign assets.
In conclusion, both former governors have expressed their willingness to cooperate with federal authorities to resolve the dispute and protect Nigeria’s interests. The seizure of the jets and the ongoing legal battles highlight the complex nature of international business disputes and the potential implications for national assets.
