One of the three Nigerian Airbus A330 aircraft held in France has been freed by the Chinese company Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd. as a result of a court order from a Parisian court.
The aircraft’s release was declared by the company as a benevolent gesture, recognising that Nigerian President Ahmed Bola Tinubu needs it for a planned visit with French President Emmanuel Macron.
“Zhongshan has consistently acted reasonably and fairly in a legal dispute with Nigeria, which it did not initiate,” a business spokeswoman said in a statement. The business has been notified that the President of Nigeria will require an Airbus A330, which is being held in France as a result of a French court order that Zhongshan was able to get, for his meeting with President Macron next week. Zhongshan has released the aircraft from seizure in an act of goodwill, enabling the President to travel on it.
The company is still dedicated to holding talks with the Nigerian government, the spokeswoman continued, adding that they expect to quickly arrive at a “reasonable compromise.”
The Federal Government had initiated legal steps to address the interim seizure of the three presidential aircraft in France, which were detained following ex parte orders issued by the Paris Judicial Court on March 7 and August 12, 2024.
Kamarudeen Ogundele, Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Publicity at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, confirmed that the Offices of the National Security Adviser and Attorney-General of the Federation are pursuing both legal and diplomatic measures to secure the release of the aircraft.
Ogundele emphasized that the aircraft are sovereign assets, used exclusively for sovereign purposes, and are therefore immune from attachment.
Zhongshan reiterated its confidence in the arbitral panel’s ruling, which was unanimously in the company’s favor. The spokesperson highlighted that courts in multiple countries have upheld the panel’s decision to award compensation, further legitimizing the company’s stance.
“Zhongshan has only sought to assert its rights under international law and remains confident in its case. The independent arbitral panel found unanimously in our favor, and courts in several countries have affirmed the panel’s award of compensation. The French court had all the relevant facts when it made its decision,” the spokesperson stated.