Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited has announced the release of one of Nigeria’s three detained presidential aircraft in France. This decision follows a court order from a Parisian judiciary court. The company made the announcement on Friday through a statement obtained by Arise News, describing the move as a gesture of goodwill in light of President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The spokesperson for Zhongshan Fucheng noted the importance of the aircraft for the diplomatic engagement and stated that the company has acted to facilitate the meeting. The statement explained, “Zhongshan has consistently aimed to act reasonably and fairly in this legal dispute with Nigeria, which was not of its making. We have been informed that an Airbus A330, currently detained due to a French court order obtained by Zhongshan, is needed for President Tinubu’s trip to meet President Macron next week. As a gesture of goodwill, Zhongshan has immediately lifted the seizure of the aircraft to enable its use for the President’s journey.”
Despite this release, Zhongshan Fucheng remains open to discussions with the Nigerian government to seek a swift and fair resolution. On Thursday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, stated that the Federal Government has initiated legal actions to challenge the interim seizure of the aircraft. The planes, which were undergoing routine maintenance, were temporarily seized following ex parte orders from the Paris Judicial Court issued on March 7 and August 12, 2024. These orders were obtained by Zhongshan Fucheng to enforce an arbitral award granted to it in 2021 against Ogun State, a Nigerian sub-national entity.