The Nigerian government has pledged to vigorously contest the attempted seizure of the country’s presidential jets in France by Chinese investors.
Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, stated that the aircraft in question are sovereign assets utilized exclusively for sovereign purposes, thereby rendering them immune to attachment by any entity.
Recall that an interim attachment order was issued by the Judicial Court of Paris against three presidential aircraft undergoing routine maintenance in France.
The order was obtained by Zhongshan Industrial Investment Company Limited, a Chinese firm seeking to enforce an arbitral award granted in its favor against the Ogun State government.
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It was disclosed that the Nigerian government is exploring both diplomatic and legal channels to challenge the attachment orders and resolve the dispute.
Also, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Attorney General’s office are working together to ensure the discharge of the orders, stressing that the aircraft are protected by sovereign immunity.
The arbitral award stems from a contractual dispute between Zhongshan and the Ogun State government, which commenced arbitration proceedings in 2018.
Findings disclosed that the Chinese company claims that the actions of the Ogun State government are attributable to the federal government, citing principles of international law.
Meanwhile, a United States (US) appellate court has ruled against Nigeria’s claim of sovereign immunity, allowing a Chinese consortium to proceed with efforts to confiscate Nigerian assets abroad.
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