‘Goodwill Gesture’: Ahead of Tinubu’s Trip to France, Chinese Firm Releases Nigeria’s A330 Presidential Jet

Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited has announced the release of one of the three Nigerian aircraft, Airbus A330, detained in France, following the court order it obtained by a judiciary court in Paris.

According to a company spokesperson on Friday, the release of the aircraft is a gesture of goodwill as they have been made aware that the president, Ahmed Bola Tinubu would be needing it for a scheduled meeting with Frances president, Emmanuel Macron.

The statement said, “Zhongshan has consistently sought to act reasonably and fairly in the course of a legal dispute with Nigeria which was not of its making.  

“It has now been made aware that an Airbus A330, currently detained in France as a result of a French court order obtained by Zhongshan, is needed for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to travel to a scheduled meeting with President Macron of France early 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.”

The spokesperson mentioned that the company remains committed to talks with the Nigerian government with a view of reaching a “reasonable compromise rapidly”.

Earlier on Thursday, the Federal Government reported that it has initiated both legal steps to address the interim attachment of three presidential aircrafts in France.

The aircraft, which were undergoing routine maintenance, were temporarily seized following ex parte orders issued by the Judicial Court of Paris on March 7 and August 12, 2024.

These orders were obtained by Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese company seeking to enforce an arbitral award granted in its favor in 2021 against Ogun State, a sub-national entity in Nigeria.

In a press statement issued by Kamarudeen Ogundele, SA to the President on Communication and Publicity, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Offices of the National Security Adviser and the Attorney-General of the Federation, stated that they have initiated both legal and diplomatic measures to ensure the release of the aircraft.

Ogundele stated that these efforts are grounded in the principle that the aircraft are sovereign assets, used exclusively for sovereign purposes, and therefore immune from attachment.

Meanwhile, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited reiterated their confidence in the arbitral panel’s decision, which was unanimously in their favor. 

According to the company’s spokesperson, the arbitral panel, which was tasked with resolving the dispute, ruled decisively in favor of Zhongshan, recommending the award of compensation, a decision that was upheld by courts in multiple countries, further reinforcing the legitimacy of the panel’s findings.

“Zhongshan has only ever sought to assert its rights under international law, and is confident in its case. The independent arbitral panel found unanimously in its favour, and courts in multiple countries have upheld the view that the panel’s award of compensation should be enforced. The French court was in full possession of the facts when it reached its decision.”

Chioma Kalu

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