Chinese Firm Seizes Another Nigerian Jet: The Controversial Saga Continues

Zhongshang Fucheng Industrial Investment Ltd, a Chinese company embroiled in the contentious seizure of Nigerian assets, has recently confiscated another Nigerian jet, this time in Canada. This latest action follows the seizure of three Nigerian presidential aircraft by a French court in favour of Zhongshang, stemming from a dispute with the Ogun State Government.

In a surprising move, Zhongshang decided to release one of the three seized aircraft as a goodwill gesture, coinciding with a scheduled meeting between President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron. On Monday, Tinubu travelled to France aboard the Airbus A330 business jet that was returned by the Chinese firm, amid ongoing controversies surrounding its acquisition.

Recently, Zhongshang also received documentation from Canadian authorities in Montreal, authorising a change of custodian for a Bombardier 6000 BD-700-1A10 aircraft. This follows a Quebec court ruling empowering Zhongshang to seize the jet from Nigeria.

The company has been aggressively enforcing arbitration awards exceeding $70 million against Nigeria, resulting in the confiscation of numerous Nigerian assets abroad. These include two properties in Liverpool, a Dassault Falcon 7X in Paris, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus A330 valued over $100 million, with the Bombardier 6000 in Canada being the latest addition.

On March 21, 2024, Judge David Collier of the Superior Court of Quebec rejected Nigeria’s bid to retain ownership of the Bombardier 6000 jet, which was purchased for $57 million by Dan Etete, a fugitive, following his receipt of over $350 million from the corrupt sale of the OPL 245 oil field in 2010.

With the ongoing asset seizures and legal battles, will this latest confiscation by Zhongshang exacerbate the diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and China?