Chinese Firm Zhongshan Frees One Seized Nigerian Presidential Jet for Tinubu’s France Visit in ‘Goodwill Gesture
Chinese Firm Zhongshan Frees Seized Nigerian Presidential Jet for Tinubu’s France Visit in ‘Goodwill Gesture.
Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese company, has released one of Nigeria’s three detained presidential jets to facilitate President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming diplomatic trip to France.
The jet, which had been held in France following a court order from a Paris judiciary, was released as a “gesture of goodwill,” according to a statement from the company obtained by Arise News on Friday.
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The move comes ahead of Tinubu’s scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. Zhongshan Fucheng’s spokesperson emphasized the company’s awareness of the jet’s importance for the diplomatic engagement, leading to the decision to lift the seizure.
The company’s statement highlighted its commitment to acting reasonably and fairly in the ongoing legal dispute with Nigeria, noting, “As a gesture of goodwill, Zhongshan has lifted the seizure of that aircraft immediately. This will allow it to be used for the President’s trip.
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Despite this gesture, Zhongshan remains open to discussions with the Nigerian government, aiming for a swift resolution to the dispute. The company had originally secured the interim seizure of the three presidential aircraft due to an arbitral award against Ogun State, Nigeria, which was enforced by the Paris Judicial Court on March 7 and August 12, 2024.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, confirmed on Thursday that the Federal Government has initiated legal actions to contest the seizure of the jets, which had been undergoing routine maintenance in France.
