Chinese Firm Seizes Nigerian Jet In Canada Amid Ongoing Dispute

Zhongshang Fucheng Industrial Investment Ltd, a Chinese firm embroiled in a contentious dispute involving the seizure of Nigerian aircraft and assets across multiple countries, has now seized a Nigerian jet in Canada.

This latest action follows the recent seizure of three Nigerian presidential aircraft by a French court, which ruled in favor of Zhongshang Fucheng in a dispute with the Ogun State Government. In a gesture of goodwill, the company agreed to release one of the three aircraft, which President Bola Tinubu used to travel to France for a scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

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The release of the Airbus A330, amid ongoing controversies over its acquisition, marked a significant diplomatic event.

The Chinese firm has also recently obtained change of custodian paperwork from Canadian authorities for the Bombardier 6000 type BD-700-1A10 aircraft. This development came months after a Quebec court ruled in favor of Zhongshang, granting them the authority to seize the jet from Nigeria.

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Zhongshang Fucheng is pursuing enforcement of its arbitration awards, which total over $70 million, and has thus far confiscated several Nigerian assets abroad. These include two properties in Liverpool, a Dassault Falcon 7X in Paris, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus A330 valued at over $100 million. The Bombardier 6000 in Canada is the latest asset to be seized.

On March 21, 2024, Judge David Collier of the Superior Court of Quebec dismissed Nigeria’s bid to retain ownership of the Bombardier 6000 jet. Records indicate that the jet was acquired for $57 million by Dan Etete, a fugitive who received over $350 million from the corrupt sale of the OPL 245 oil field in 2010, as part of a lavish spending spree.

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