Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has addressed the recent controversy surrounding the reported seizure of Nigerian presidential jets in France.
The media had previously reported that a French court had seized three jets belonging to the Nigerian government in connection with a longstanding dispute involving a Chinese company.
The dispute dates back to a 2007 contract between Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment and the Ogun State Government to develop a free-trade zone.
The agreement, which was intended to establish a large industrial park to attract investors, was terminated between 2015 and 2016. Zhongshan has since claimed that it was forced out of the deal through what it described as a “campaign of illegal acts.”
The Nigerian government has condemned the seizure, accusing Zhongshan of attempting to “undercut and scam” an African government.
In response, Amosun, who was the Ogun State Governor when the deal was initially struck, issued a statement on Saturday describing Zhongshan as an impostor.
Amosun expressed serious concern over the seizure, stating that it was unacceptable that a business dispute between two Chinese corporations had escalated to the point of targeting Nigeria’s sovereign assets. “This is unacceptable to all people of goodwill and must not be allowed to stand,” Amosun said.
In his statement titled “Presidential Jets Seizure: Zhongfu Firm Is An Impostor, It’s Chinese Against Chinese Dispute,” Amosun provided a detailed account of the events leading up to the dispute. He explained that shortly after his administration took office in 2011, two Chinese companies—China Africa Investment FXE and Zhongfu International Investment FXE—began claiming management rights over the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone.
According to Amosun, Zhongfu International Investment FXE, under the guise of being a concerned tenant, provided damaging information about its rival, China Africa Investment FXE, and requested to be appointed as interim zone managers. However, it was later discovered that Zhongfu’s claims were false and that the company was attempting to take over state-owned assets in the zone.
The Chinese government eventually intervened, clarifying through a diplomatic note in March 2016 that China Africa Investment FXE was the rightful investor.
Following consultations with relevant authorities, Amosun’s administration terminated Zhongfu’s management rights in May 2016.
Amosun noted that Zhongfu International Investment FXE pursued legal action in Nigerian courts but lost all their cases. Despite this, the company continued to petition higher authorities, including the Presidency, the National Assembly, and various government agencies.
Amosun emphasised that the original agreement from 2007 remained in effect throughout his administration and that there was no need for renegotiation. He urged Nigerian authorities not to entertain Zhongfu’s claims, likening the situation to the P&ID case, and offered his support to prevent Nigeria from being scammed by Zhongfu or any other entity.
