A Chinese firm accuses Nigerian police of detaining and brutalizing its top officials following the seizure of presidential jets, escalating tensions in the ongoing dispute.
During a contractual dispute with the Ogun State Government, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited, a Chinese firm’s management claimed that its high-ranking officials were illegally apprehended and subjected to harsh treatment by law enforcement.
The maltreatment forced the company to request for the confiscation of Nigerian assets abroad, according to their statement.
On Thursday, the news of Nigeria’s presidential jets being seized by a French court flooded the media.
Among the confiscated aircraft, there are two that belong to Nigeria’s presidential air fleet and have been listed for sale: a Dassault Falcon 7X and a Boeing 737. Additionally, there is an Airbus 330 which was bought by Nigeria but has not yet been received.
On March 7 and August 12, 2024, the judicial court in Paris issued ex parte orders to seize planes that were undergoing standard maintenance.
The seizure was a result of the Chinese company’s litigation against both the Federal Government of Nigeria and Ogun State due to contractual termination.
Zhongshan was awarded approximately $74.5m in compensation by an arbitral tribunal; however, the ruling was not respected by the state government.
The French court was approached by the company, following which it directed the confiscation of various aircrafts belonging to the Federal Government, including a Dassault Falcon 7X parked at Le Bourget Airport in Paris and a Boeing 737 alongside an Airbus 330 situated at Basel-Mulhouse Airport in Switzerland.
According to reports, the Nigerian government spent more than $100 million on purchasing the Airbus.
It seems that Zhongshan may have declined any settlement talks offered by the Ogun State Government under fair conditions because of allegations regarding an attack on its representatives.
In its claim to the French court, Zhongshan declared that some members of its management team in Nigeria faced physical harm after receiving threats.
The Ogun State Government stands accused of deploying the police to physically harm, intimidate and unjustly incarcerate its employees following the revocation of their export processing zone management contract.
According to the company, its staff members, such as Mr. Wenxiao Zhao – who serves as Zhongfu Nigeria Ltd.’s Chief Financial Officer (a subsidiary of Zhongshan) – experienced both verbal and physical attacks from law enforcement officials directed by the state government.
With the assistance of its solicitors, Withers LLP and Radix Legal & Consulting Limited, Zhongshan declared that it suffered a monetary loss of $1.078bn due to the contract’s termination in their statement of claim.
According to the company, Nigerian authorities resorted to draconian measures that involved direct threats by the Secretary of Ogun State Government (Taiwo Adeoluwa) towards Zhongfu Nigeria’s CEO, Dr Jianxin Han. These threats advised him to leave peacefully when possible and avoid being forcibly removed as well as facing legal complications and potential prosecution.
Not only was the treatment already terrible, but Nigerian authorities also carried out their threats of physically harming the management team of the claimant. Mr Wenxiao Zhao, Chief Financial Officer of Zhongfu Nigeria, was arrested by police without justification and subjected to harsh conditions while being physically assaulted twice before eventually being released after a week in two separate jails—all without any charges brought against him.
Describing his experience while in police custody, Zhao recalled that a uniformed officer had approached him and delivered two slaps to his face. He was then led by the officers who brought him there into a separate room where he was told to sign some documents.
No explanation was given regarding the contents of the paper, prompting me to decline signing it. Subsequently, my footwear was confiscated by law enforcement personnel who confined me in a walled area encompassing several jail cells under bleak and frosty conditions. Positioned adjacent to one cell entrance stood I with apprehension at bay.
A different inmate emerged from the cell and inquired about my capture, to which I remained silent. Several individuals were also present at the courtyard who had been apprehended, and this particular prisoner instructed us to align ourselves next to each other while interrogating us on our financial status and reason for being there. If someone confessed having no funds, he would physically strike them.
The prisoner pulled me aside and demanded that I speak up or face the consequences of being beaten with a club. Another inmate reassured me not to be scared, but shortly after, the first one returned and repeated his violent ultimatum to coerce my testimony – although I refused to comply.
A multitude of individuals were ushered into the Abuja police station on what I believe was the third day. As a result, I was relocated by law enforcement officers to another room. Subsequently, an officer inquired about my situation; however, as they received no response from me, he proceeded to strike me twice – once on my neck and then again with his fist upon my head -, causing immense pain and leaving me feeling numb.
READ ALSO: FG Accuses Chinese Firm of ‘Fraudulent’ Attempt to Seize Nigerian Assets
The management team of Zhongfu Nigeria felt unsafe and had to exit the country. Despite taking legal measures in Nigerian courts beforehand, NEPZA, Ogun State Government, and the police worked together to entirely dismantle their investment rights.
Upon being informed of the accusation, Kayode Akinmade, who serves as the Ogun State Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, stated that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration had no prior knowledge of such claims made by the Chinese company. Therefore, they were unable to provide a response regarding this matter.
Akinmade explained that the incident occurred more than three years prior to the current administration’s tenure, and therefore he cannot provide information on it. He asserts that they are committed to preventing their people from experiencing any form of unfair treatment or deceitful verdicts.
According to Omolola Odutola, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, law enforcement officials had no role in the incident.
“It’s not our concern,” she stated. “The police have no involvement in this matter, and it doesn’t pertain to us.”
Yemi Farounbi, a former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, provided comment on the matter and characterized the confiscation of the presidential planes as an unnecessary source of diplomatic shame.
According to him, the development reflected the negligence of certain state governments.
“Unfortunately, our presidential jets and some of our buildings and properties are currently detained due to an irresponsible deal made by the state government with a foreign company.”
Verifying the terms and conditions of foreign contracts before entering into them is crucial to avoid endangering our country, citizens, and properties. It’s imperative that we critically examine these agreements so as not to mortgage our future. The unfortunate international embarrassment could have been prevented with adequate care in reviewing the contract terms.
Reportedly, President Bola Tinubu is set to meet with France’s President Emmanuel Macron and has allegedly been granted access to one of the previously seized jets.
On Friday, a representative of the Chinese company stated that Zhongshan has received notification regarding an Airbus A330 currently being held in France due to a French court order acquired by Zhongshan. This aircraft is necessary for the upcoming meeting between President Macron and the President of Nigeria early next week.
“As a goodwill gesture, Zhongshan has promptly released the seized aircraft to enable its utilization for the president’s journey.”
