The management of Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited, a Chinese firm, has accused the police of unlawfully detaining and brutalizing its top officials during a contractual dispute with the Ogun State Government.
The company stated that the mistreatment led it to pursue the seizure of Nigerian assets abroad.
On Thursday, news broke of a French court’s order to seize three Nigerian presidential jets. These include a Dassault Falcon 7X and a Boeing 737, part of Nigeria’s presidential air fleet, and an Airbus 330, yet to be delivered. The planes were seized during routine maintenance following ex parte orders by the Paris judicial court on March 7 and August 12, 2024.
The seizure resulted from a lawsuit initiated by the Chinese company against the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Ogun State Government after the termination of a contractual agreement. An arbitral tribunal awarded Zhongshan approximately $74.5 million in compensation, which the state government did not honor.
Zhongshan then approached the French court, leading to the seizure of the jets, including a Dassault Falcon 7X at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus 330 at Basel-Mulhouse Airport in Switzerland. The Nigerian government reportedly spent over $100 million on the Airbus.
Reports suggest that Zhongshan rejected all settlement offers from the Ogun State Government due to the alleged assault on its officials. In its claim to the French court, Zhongshan alleged that its management team in Nigeria faced physical harm and threats.
The company accused the Ogun State Government of using the police to assault, threaten, and unlawfully detain its workers following the revocation of its export processing zone management contract. The Chief Financial Officer of Zhongfu Nigeria Ltd., a subsidiary of Zhongshan, Mr. Wenxiao Zhao, was reportedly verbally and physically assaulted by the police under the state’s orders.
Zhongshan, through its solicitors, Withers LLP and Radix Legal & Consulting Limited, claimed a loss of $1.078 billion due to the contract termination. The company described the actions of Nigerian authorities as draconian, alleging that the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, threatened Zhongfu Nigeria’s CEO, Dr. Jianxin Han, warning him to leave peacefully to avoid forceful removal and potential prosecution.
According to Zhongshan, Nigerian authorities followed through on their threats, with police arresting and detaining Zhao under harsh conditions, where he was beaten twice before being released after a week without charges. Zhao recounted his ordeal, detailing how he was physically assaulted and threatened while in police custody.
Fearing for their safety, Zhongfu Nigeria’s management team left the country. Despite their attempts to seek legal protection in Nigerian courts, the Ogun State Government, NEPZA, and the police allegedly orchestrated the complete destruction of Zhongshan’s investment in Nigeria.
When asked for a response, Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Media and Strategy, stated that the current administration knew nothing about the claims and could not comment on them, as they occurred before the present administration. The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, also denied any police involvement in the matter.
Former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, Yemi Farounbi, criticized the situation, describing the seizure of the jets as an avoidable diplomatic embarrassment and a reflection of irresponsible agreements by some state governments.
Meanwhile, one of the seized jets has reportedly been released for the use of President Bola Tinubu, who is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron. A spokesperson for the Chinese company confirmed that Zhongshan, as a goodwill gesture, lifted the seizure of the Airbus A330 to allow for the president’s trip.
