A Chinese company, Zhongshang Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited, has seized another Nigerian jet as part of an ongoing contract dispute with Nigeria’s Ogun State. The dispute centers on the cancellation of a 2007 agreement to build and operate a free-trade zone in the state.
The latest seizure occurred in Canada, just days after the firm grounded three Nigerian presidential planes in France on August 16. According to a report by the Daily Trust, the jet, a Bombardier 6000 type BD-700-1A10, was seized after Canadian authorities in Montreal approved a change of custodianship following a court ruling in Quebec. The court had previously issued a judgment empowering Zhongshang to take control of the aircraft.
“The Chinese firm had recently received a change of custodian paperwork for the Bombardier 6000 type BD-700-1A10 aircraft from Canadian authorities in Montreal months after a Quebec court issued a judgment that empowered Zhongshang to seize the Nigerian jet,” the Daily Trust reported.
Zhongshang has reportedly seized other Nigerian assets abroad, including two properties in Liverpool, UK, a Dassault Falcon 7X in Paris, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus A330, with the combined assets valued at over $100 million.
In response, the Nigerian government has accused the Chinese firm of using deceptive tactics to take control of its assets. “This is nothing but an attempt to take over our assets through subterfuge,” said a Nigerian government spokesperson, who emphasized that the seizures are being challenged in court.
The situation highlights escalating tensions over the failed free-trade deal, which has now led to the seizure of significant Nigerian assets in multiple countries. “We are actively engaging with our legal team to resolve this issue and reclaim our assets,” the spokesperson added.
