A Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited, has levied serious accusations against Ogun State, alleging that its top officials were subjected to unlawful detention and severe brutality by the police. The allegations are linked to a bitter dispute over a terminated contract with the state government, which has now escalated to the international stage with the seizure of Nigerian presidential jets by a French court.
The controversy surrounding the Nigerian jets began to unfold after a French court ordered the seizure of three aircraft: a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus A330. These planes, either recently put up for sale or purchased but not yet delivered, were seized following ex parte orders issued on March 7 and August 12, 2024. This legal action came in the wake of a dispute between Zhongshan and the Nigerian government, which had been awarded $74.5 million in arbitration but failed to honor the settlement.
According to Zhongshan, the escalation of the dispute led to a series of violent incidents. The firm claims that its Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Wenxiao Zhao, was brutally assaulted by the police after the Ogun State Government revoked its export processing zone management contract. Zhongshan’s statement of claim highlights the alleged assault and threats made by police officers, including Zhao’s reported physical abuse and illegal detention.
Zhao recounts a harrowing experience of physical abuse and intimidation by Nigerian authorities, which he claims was aimed at coercing Zhongshan into abandoning their claims. The alleged mistreatment has reportedly influenced the firm’s decision to seek drastic measures, including the seizure of Nigerian assets abroad.
The Ogun State Government has yet to officially comment on the accusations, with a spokesperson for the administration indicating that the events in question predate the current government. The Ogun State Police Public Relations Office has denied any involvement, stating that the matter does not concern them.
Former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, Yemi Farounbi, has criticized the situation as an avoidable diplomatic fiasco, highlighting the broader implications of poor contract management and international agreements by Nigerian state governments.
In a notable development, one of the seized jets, the Airbus A330, has been released temporarily to accommodate President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming visit to France for a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron. Zhongshan has agreed to lift the seizure of the aircraft as a gesture of goodwill, allowing the president to use it for his trip.
