A French court has ordered the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets in the midst of a protracted legal conflict involving a Chinese company. The dispute centers on a 2007 agreement between Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment and Ogun State in Nigeria to establish a free-trade zone intended to boost industrial investment.

The agreement was terminated between 2015 and 2016, leading to Zhongshan’s claim that it was unjustly ousted through a “campaign of illegal acts.” In response, Nigerian officials have denounced the action, accusing Zhongshan of attempting to “undercut and scam” the Nigerian government.

The three jets, which were undergoing routine maintenance in France at the time of the seizure, were grounded following a court order from the Judicial Court of Paris. Nigerian officials have reacted strongly, with Bayo Onanuga, a spokesperson for the presidential office, condemning Zhongshan’s actions as part of a broader strategy to confiscate Nigerian assets abroad. Onanuga criticized the Chinese company for what he described as “arm-twisting tactics” and emphasized that these efforts are part of a series of unsuccessful attempts to claim Nigerian government properties in international jurisdictions.

In March 2021, an arbitration tribunal led by the President of the UK Supreme Court awarded Zhongshan $74.5 million in compensation. Ogun State reportedly failed to fulfill this financial obligation, leading to further complications. Recently, Nigerian-owned properties in Liverpool were also seized by a UK court in connection with the same dispute, according to Premium Times.

On August 16, the United States Court of Appeals ruled that Zhongshan could continue its attempts to seize Nigerian assets abroad, rejecting Nigeria’s claim of “sovereign immunity” as a defense. Nigeria has accused Zhongshan of misrepresenting facts in legal proceedings across the UK, US, and France.

Onanuga has stated that when Ogun State canceled the contract, Zhongshan had only constructed a perimeter fence on the designated land, which had yet to be developed into the planned free-trade zone. This type of zone is designed to facilitate trade by allowing goods to move in and out of the country with minimal tax or fees. Nigeria already hosts other such zones, including one in Lagos where the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, constructed by Africa’s wealthiest man, Aliko Dangote, recently began operations.

In response to the seizure, Zhongshan has argued that the Ogun Free Trade Zone was an essential international investment, as highlighted by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The Nigerian government has vowed to challenge the French court’s decision, calling it a “frivolous order” and reiterating its commitment to protecting national assets from what it describes as “predators and shylocks.”

The regional government of Ogun State has similarly condemned Zhongshan’s attempts to claim Nigerian assets, labeling them as “ill-advised.” This latest development has also sparked a renewed debate in Nigeria about President Bola Tinubu’s use of multiple taxpayer-funded jets amid widespread economic difficulties. Opposition politician Peter Obi criticized the situation, calling the seizure “embarrassing” and reflecting a lack of sensitivity to the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.