The Nigerian government has recently accused a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, of attempting to seize its presidential jets and other offshore assets located in France. This development stems from a legal dispute dating back to a 2007 contract between Zhongshan and the Ogun State Government regarding the management of a free-trade zone.

According to Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the issue has already been resolved through Nigeria’s judicial system. However, Zhongshan has taken the case to a French court, which, without notifying the Nigerian government, issued orders allowing the Chinese firm to seize Nigeria’s assets, including its presidential jets.

Onanuga condemned the actions of Zhongshan, accusing them of using dishonest tactics to claim Nigeria’s assets. He highlighted that the company withheld important information from the French court, misleading judges about the nature of the assets, which include presidential jets protected by diplomatic immunity.

He compared this case to the infamous P&ID case, in which foreign entities used legal loopholes to try to scam the Nigerian government. Onanuga made it clear that Nigeria has no outstanding contractual obligations to Zhongshan, and the country’s legal representatives are actively working on resolving the matter.

Despite multiple attempts by the Chinese company to enforce its claims in courts around the world, including in the UK and the USA, they have so far been unsuccessful. Nigeria remains confident that justice will prevail in this case as well.

As the Nigerian government fights back against these claims, this incident highlights the growing trend of foreign entities attempting to exploit legal systems in order to gain control over valuable national assets in Africa.

The case serves as a reminder to all governments to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting their assets from similar attempts in the future.