In a move aimed at facilitating negotiations, the Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd. has released the Nigerian presidential Airbus A330 that was previously seized by a French court. The company described this action as a “gesture of goodwill” to support ongoing discussions.
Zhongshan’s statement highlighted that the firm had decided to lift the seizure as part of its commitment to resolving a legal dispute in a fair manner. The dispute originates from a 2007 agreement between Zhongshan and Nigeria’s Ogun state to develop a free trade zone.
This contract was terminated in 2015 after the Nigerian government alleged that the company had only built a perimeter fence on the designated land.
The company emphasized its willingness to engage in serious and substantive talks with Nigerian representatives to achieve a reasonable and swift settlement.
The Nigerian government has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Earlier this year, Zhongshan secured French court orders in March and August to seize Nigerian assets, including the presidential jet, following an arbitration award exceeding $60 million.
On Thursday, the Nigerian government accused Zhongshan of an aggressive campaign to seize its assets abroad due to the ongoing dispute.
