News
French Court Seizes Nigerian Presidential Jets In Legal Dispute
A French court has authorized the seizure of three presidential jets linked to the Nigerian government in connection with a legal battle involving the Chinese company, Zhongshan.
The dispute, which originated from a business disagreement with the Ogun State government, has escalated into a significant legal action, sources informed Premium Times.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the seized jets include a Dassault Falcon 7X at Le Bourget airport in Paris, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus 330 located at Basel-Mulhouse airport in Switzerland. These aircraft are part of Nigeria’s presidential air fleet and were undergoing maintenance at the time of the seizure.
Notably, two of the jets were recently listed for sale, while the Airbus 330, purchased by Nigeria for over $100 million, had yet to be delivered.
The seizure is tied to a 2016 decision by the Ogun State government to revoke Zhongshan’s export processing zone management contract.
In response, an independent arbitral tribunal, chaired by a former UK Supreme Court President, awarded Zhongshan $74.5 million in compensation. With the Ogun State government failing to pay the award, Zhongshan sought enforcement against Nigerian assets abroad.
The French court’s order prohibits the movement, sale, or purchase of the seized jets until the $74.5 million compensation is paid to Zhongshan.
Bailiffs have already served legal papers for each aircraft, signaling a significant escalation in the ongoing legal dispute.
This development follows a similar incident in which Nigerian-owned properties in Liverpool, England, were seized by a UK court in connection with the same dispute.
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Zhongshan secured charging orders against two properties in Liverpool—15 Aigburth Hall Road and Beech Lodge, 49 Calderstones Road—which are estimated to be worth between £1.3 million and £1.7 million.
The Nigerian government is yet to comment on the seizures.
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