Seized presidential jets: Chinese firm alleges that Policemen detained, brutalised their top officials

The management of Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited, a Chinese firm, has alleged that its senior officials were unlawfully detained and subjected to brutal treatment by police in Nigeria during a dispute with the Ogun State Government over a contractual issue.

The company claims this mistreatment led it to pursue the seizure of Nigerian assets abroad. On Thursday, news emerged that a French court had ordered the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets.

Among the seized aircraft are a Dassault Falcon 7X and a Boeing 737, both part of Nigeria’s presidential air fleet recently listed for sale, along with an Airbus 330 purchased by Nigeria but not yet delivered. These planes were seized following ex parte orders from the Paris judicial court dated March 7 and August 12, 2024, while they were undergoing routine maintenance.

The legal action followed a contractual dispute between Zhongshan and both the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Ogun State Government. An arbitral tribunal had awarded Zhongshan approximately $74.5 million in compensation, but the Ogun State Government did not comply with the ruling, prompting Zhongshan to seek intervention from the French court.

The French court subsequently ordered the seizure of Nigerian government jets, including a Dassault Falcon 7X at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus 330 at Basel-Mulhouse Airport in Switzerland. It is reported that the Nigerian government had paid over $100 million for the Airbus.

Sources suggest that Zhongshan may have declined all reasonable settlement offers from the Ogun State Government, partly due to the alleged mistreatment of its officials.

In its claim to the French court, Zhongshan alleged that its management team in Nigeria was physically harmed and threatened. The company accused the Ogun State Government of using police to assault, threaten, and unlawfully detain its employees after revoking its export processing zone management contract.

Zhongshan stated that its personnel, including Mr. Wenxiao Zhao, the Chief Financial Officer of Zhongfu Nigeria Ltd., a subsidiary, endured verbal and physical abuse at the hands of the police, reportedly acting on orders from the state government.

According to Zhongshan’s claim, through its solicitors Withers LLP and Radix Legal & Consulting Limited, the company suffered a loss of $1.078 billion due to the contract termination. The statement described how the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, allegedly threatened Zhongfu Nigeria’s CEO, Dr. Jianxin Han, to leave quietly or face forceful removal and potential prosecution.

Zhongshan further claimed that the Nigerian authorities followed through on their threats. Mr. Zhao was reportedly arrested, detained under harsh conditions, and physically assaulted on two occasions before being released without charges after a week in custody.

Describing his experience, Zhao recounted being slapped by a police officer, coerced into signing an unclear document, and mistreated by other detainees. He detailed severe physical abuse, including being struck on the neck and head, which left him in pain and numb.

“Concerned for their safety, the management team of Zhongfu Nigeria had no choice but to leave Nigeria. Despite their efforts to take preventive legal measures in Nigerian courts to safeguard their rights, the Ogun State Government, NEPZA, and the police allegedly orchestrated the complete dismantling of the company’s investment in Nigeria.”

When asked for a response to these allegations, Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Media and Strategy, stated that the current administration under Governor Dapo Abiodun was not aware of the claims made by the Chinese firm and therefore could not provide a comment.

Akinmade remarked, “This incident occurred over three years before the current administration took office. We are not in a position to comment on something we are not familiar with. However, we will ensure that our administration remains transparent and does not fall victim to fraudulent judgments.”

Omolola Odutola, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, asserted that the police were not involved in the matter.

She said, “This is not a police issue; we have no involvement in it. It does not concern us.”

Yemi Farounbi, a former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, labeled the seizure of the presidential jets as a significant diplomatic blunder that could have been avoided. Speaking to Saturday NIGERIA NEWS 247, Farounbi criticized the conduct of some state governments in their dealings.

He stated, “This situation highlights the irresponsibility of some state governments in the agreements they enter into. It is particularly distressing when our presidential jets—and reportedly some of our properties—are being held because of a poorly managed arrangement with a foreign company.”

Farounbi emphasized the need for rigorous verification of the terms and conditions in international contracts to prevent compromising the country’s future and assets. He added, “This incident serves as an international embarrassment that could have been avoided.”

In related news, one of the seized jets has been released for President Bola Tinubu’s use, who is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. A spokesperson for Zhongshan announced on Friday that they had decided to release the Airbus A330, currently held in France, to facilitate the President’s travel.

The spokesperson said, “Zhongshan has been informed that the Airbus A330, which was detained under a French court order obtained by Zhongshan, is needed for the President of Nigeria’s trip to meet with President Macron of France early next week. As a gesture of goodwill, Zhongshan has lifted the seizure of the aircraft to allow it to be used for the President’s journey.”