The Nigerian government has accused Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd., a Chinese company, of trying to unlawfully seize Nigerian assets abroad, including presidential jets. The allegations were confirmed by a government spokesperson on Thursday.
According to Bayo Onanuga, a presidential spokesperson, Zhongshan is employing “unorthodox methods” to target Nigerian government property despite lacking any contractual relationship with the federal government. Zhongshan has yet to respond to requests for comment.
The conflict originates from a 2007 agreement between Zhongshan and Ogun State, Nigeria, to develop a free trade zone. The contract was terminated in 2015 after Zhongshan had only completed a perimeter fence on the designated land.
Onanuga stated that Zhongshan has no valid claim for restitution following the contract’s termination. He also accused Zhongshan of misrepresenting the situation in various courts, including those in the UK, the US, and France, where it obtained a $60 million arbitration award. Nigeria has refused to pay the award.
In addition, Zhongshan reportedly secured two French court orders in March and August to seize Nigerian assets, including presidential jets under maintenance in France. Onanuga emphasized that these assets are protected from foreign legal actions.
The Nigerian government, in collaboration with Ogun State, is working to resolve the dispute and safeguard its assets from seizure, Onanuga added.
