Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has addressed the controversy surrounding the seizure of Nigeria’s presidential jets in France, clarifying the situation as a business dispute between two Chinese firms and labeling Zhongfu International Investment FXE as an impostor.
Meteor Nigeria reported recently that a French court had seized three jets belonging to the Nigerian government due to a protracted dispute linked to a 2007 contract between Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment and the Ogun State Government. The contract was for the development of a free-trade zone in Ogun State, which was terminated between 2015 and 2016.
The seizure has sparked outrage in Nigeria, with authorities condemning Zhongshan’s actions and accusing the company of attempting to scam the Nigerian government. Amosun, who was governor when the deal was struck, has now come forward to clarify the situation and distance the Nigerian government from any wrongdoing.
In a statement titled “Presidential Jets Seizure: Zhongfu Firm Is An Impostor, It’s Chinese Against Chinese Dispute,” Amosun expressed concern over the situation, describing it as an unlawful attempt to appropriate Nigeria’s sovereign assets. He emphasized that the issue is a business dispute between two Chinese companies—Zhongfu International Investment FXE and China Africa Investment FXE—over management rights of the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ).
Amosun detailed how shortly after assuming office in 2011, his administration was caught in the middle of a fierce rivalry between the two companies. Initially, Zhongfu was appointed as an interim manager of the zone based on damaging information it provided about China Africa Investment FXE. However, it was later discovered that Zhongfu’s claims were false, and the company had ulterior motives to de-market its rival and seize control of the zone.
The Chinese government, through a diplomatic note in 2016, confirmed that China Africa Investment FXE was the rightful investor and not Zhongfu. Following this clarification, Ogun State terminated Zhongfu’s management rights, which led to a series of unsuccessful legal challenges by Zhongfu in Nigerian courts.
Amosun warned that Zhongfu International Investment FXE should not be entertained by the Nigerian government, comparing the situation to the notorious P&ID case, where Nigeria was targeted by a fraudulent claim. He urged Nigerian authorities to treat Zhongfu’s claims with the same skepticism and firmness, stating that there is no basis for negotiation with the company.
“I am ready to work with the agencies of government in any capacity to ensure that Nigeria is not scammed by Zhongfu International Investment FXE, or any other entity,” Amosun declared, signaling his commitment to protecting Nigeria’s interests in this matter.
