What the Nigerian government said over the seizure of presidential jets refused to blame Ogun State
By Emmanuel Sixtus
Nigerian government has failed to blame Ogun State government for causing the problem that led to international court order that tends to taint the image of the country. The country instead vowed to follow up the matter to a favourable end.
The government fiercely condemned the recent seizure of three of its presidential jets by a French court. The court’s action was moved by a legal conundrum with a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd has intensified tensions between Nigeria and its foreign business partners, drawing sharp reproach from Nigerian officials.
The dispute traces back to a decade-old contract disagreement between Zhongshan and the Ogun State government. The state government entered into a contract they were accused of not fulfilling by the Chinese company.
The Chinese firm claims that Nigeria defaulted on the terms of a contract, prompting them to seek legal action in international courts. The Judicial Court of Paris, responding to Zhongshan’s legal filings, issued orders on March 7 and August 12, 2024, to provisionally attach the aircraft, which include a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus A330.
Nigerian government is angry that the court order was obtained without prior awareness, and the company kept the country in the dark regarding the court action. The government also insisted it would challenge the order to prove the innocence of the country.
These planes, part of Nigeria’s presidential fleet, were undergoing maintenance in France and Switzerland at the time of the seizure. The maintenance was due as a result of opposition to the purchase of a new presidential jet in the country.
The Nigerian government has reacted strongly to these developments. The presidency, through a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has labelled the court’s decision as a grave injustice, accusing Zhongshan of deceit.
The Nigerian administration asserts that the Chinese company misled the French court by withholding vital information about the nature of the assets and the lack of direct contractual obligations between the Nigerian Federal Government and Zhongshan
This case echoes the infamous Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID) saga, where Nigeria faced a massive arbitration award over a failed gas project. The government has drawn parallels between the two cases, suggesting that foreign entities are exploiting international legal systems to unjustly claim Nigerian assets.
The government of Nigeria is confident of challenging the case and striking out the court order to continue to have access to its fleet of presidential jets.
The seized aircraft are not just symbols of national pride but are also critical for the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian presidency. The Dassault Falcon 7X was stationed at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, while the Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 were located at Basel-Mulhouse Airport in Switzerland
The Nigerian government, alongside the Ogun State authorities, has pledged to take immediate legal action to reverse the seizures and protect its assets. The country has been portrayed in a bad manner by virtue of the court order, and to redeem the country’s image is a quest worthy of attention.
The situation has garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally, with various stakeholders expressing concern over the potential implications for Nigeria’s foreign relations and its ability to safeguard national assets abroad.
France remains a good friend of Nigeria, but due to the matter being still in the court, a diplomatic solution is still pending. The court has to decide, and diplomacy takes its course afterwards.
As this legal battle unfolds, it underscores the complexities and risks that nations face when engaging in international contracts, especially when disputes arise. The Nigerian government’s response will be closely watched as it navigates this challenging terrain, seeking to defend its sovereignty and prevent a repeat of such incidents in the future.
In days and weeks to come, the situation will be clearer as the country looks to overturn the court order and regain access to its aircraft.
