Chinese company Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited has released one of the three seized Nigerian presidential jets.

Zhongshan had secured a court order to confiscate the presidential jets in Paris, France.

The French court order prohibits the jets’ movement, sale, or purchase until Zhongshan receives the awarded $74.5 million. Bailiffs have served papers for each aircraft.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), later confirmed that the aircraft were grounded in France over an alleged debt owed by the Nigerian government.

Fagbemi added that the aircraft on the presidential fleet are sovereign assets used solely for sovereign purposes and are therefore immune from attachment by any entity.

However, the Chinese company, in a statement issued by its spokesperson on Friday, August 16, 2024, said it has released one of the three presidential jets.

The company further disclosed that President Bola Tinubu requires the aircraft for a scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron next week.

Presidency: Chinese company plotting to strip Nigeria of assets

It stated: “Zhongshan has consistently acted reasonably and fairly in a legal dispute with Nigeria, which it did not initiate.

“Zhongshan has been informed that an Airbus A330, currently detained in France due to a French court order obtained by Zhongshan, is needed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his upcoming meeting with President Macron next week.

“As a gesture of goodwill, Zhongshan has lifted the seizure of that aircraft immediately. This will allow it to be used for the President’s trip.

“Zhongshan remains committed to talks with representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, this time serious and substantive on both sides, with a view to reaching a reasonable compromise settlement rapidly.”

The company, however, did not disclose when the two remaining aircraft detained in France would be released.

The Star