Ibikunle Amosun and Gbenga Daniel, two former Ogun State governors, have promised to aid the Federal Government in regaining the national assets that a French court had confiscated.

Three presidential jets—a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus 330—were seized as a result of a court order obtained by a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited.

The Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone firm was established in 2007 by a joint venture agreement between the Ogun State Government, Zhongshan, and an additional firm.

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However, the agreement between the parties collapsed in the first half of 2016, and Zhongshan proceeded to file unsuccessful lawsuits in Nigerian federal and state courts, attempting to reclaim its contractual rights.

But after When the French court heard the case, damages were granted to the corporation. The court ordered Nigeria to hold off on transferring or selling its three presidential jets until the Chinese company received the $74.5 million that was granted to them.

In separate remarks on Saturday, the former governors called Zhongshan a con artist and said the company’s demands for payment lacked merit.

Amosun claimed that Nigeria should not lend Zhongfu, also known as Zhongshan,

Any consideration because doing so would equate to supporting ‘an unlawful entity without locus standi to appropriate our common patrimony,’ according to a statement he signed on Saturday.

He maintained that there was no room for discussion.

‘Government is a continuum at different levels, and the various segments of events leading to this,’ the speaker stated a regrettable incident happened prior to, during, and following our presidency.

On May 29, 2011, our administration went into effect. The Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone was the subject of management rights claims made by two distinct groups of Chinese firms very soon after we assumed office: Messrs.

FXEs for Zhongfu International Investment and China Africa Investment are provided.

‘Within the zone and its surrounding villages, the business disagreement and rivalry between the Chinese concerns quickly escalated into a violent rivalry that disrupted smooth economic operations and placed public safety and tranquility at risk.

There were disputes over who, between the two, was the legitimate agent of Guangdong Province, China, the original joint venturer, and thus who was in charge of overseeing the area.

While posing as a sincere and concerned renter, Zhongfu International Investment FXE zone shareholder, who then wanted to be designated as temporary zone managers,

Divulged extremely harmful and destructive information about the Guangdong Province official representatives, the Joint Venturer, and the legitimate zone managers, China Africa Investment FXE.

The lawmaker mentioned that Zhongfu was named an acting zone manager by the state administration on March 15, 2012.

According to him, the decision was made to stop unwholesome growth in the area until after a fact-finding investigation was finished.

The former governor claimed, meanwhile, that Zhongfu’s accusations against China Africa were eventually found to be false by the authorities.

He said that Zhongfu’s operations were intended to convert state-owned assets of Guangdong Province in China and de-market China Africa.

Amosun continued, saying that following receipt of a diplomatic message dated March from the Chinese government China Africa was identified by the state administration as the legitimate investor on November 11, 2016.

‘We complied with the Chinese government’s request after consulting with the appropriate government agencies.’

‘We do remember that Zhongfu International Investment FXE filed legal and business rights petitions with Nigerian courts in various jurisdictions. All four of their legal cases ended in failure.

‘We also sought guidance on the appropriate course of action from the State Security Services and the overseeing organization, NEPZA. As a result, we formally terminated Zhongfu International Investment FXE on May 27, 2016,’ he stated.

Amosun maintained that the matter constituted a trade dispute between two Chinese firms, as shown by a final ruling handed on March 29, 2017. affiliation with the Federal Government or Ogun State.

Zhongfu’s administration defended its activities at all levels prior to its May 2019 departure from power, he pointed out, and his attempts to petition various Abuja authorities had failed.

The claim that anyone was harassed, threatened, or physically assaulted by police or security personnel is untrue.

Should such a circumstance arise, it would presumably originate from the competing parties striving to surpass each other. Security organizations are able to confirm the facts and look into the claim further.

It is imperative that Nigeria refuses to lend any consideration to Zhongfu International Investment FXE, as doing so would be tantamount to condoning and enabling an illicit organization lacking legal standing to take our shared heritage.

Considering the foregoing, this The handling of Zhongfu International Investment FXE should be modeled by Nigeria’s handling of the P&ID issue. Negotiation has no foundation.

In order to make sure that Zhongfu International Investment FXE or any other organization does not defraud Nigeria, I am prepared to collaborate with government agencies in whatever role.

We are worried that an initial disagreement between two Chinese nationals and firms has turned into an illegal attempt to seize Nigeria’s sovereign assets, just like any other Nigerian would be.

This cannot be tolerated by any decent person, he said. It cannot continue.

Daniel stated that he was prepared to supply any documentation that would support the Federal Government in its legal action against the Chinese company.

The Senator standing in for Ogun East Senatorial District further pledged to assist President Bola Tinubu in resolving the national disgrace using ‘diplomatic means.’

Every Nigerian should be concerned about this legal enigma, according to Daniel, since it involves commonwealth and collective national assets.

The fact that this case is pending in multiple courts across multiple nations and that any discussion about it is subject to adjudication should also be acknowledged.

‘Let us reiterate, nevertheless, that the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone project is still in existence, and numerous Nigerians are employed there as we speak, in addition to numerous companies that are continuing to operate lawfully,’ he continued.

FG alerts states to

Additionally, the federal government has advised the 36 state governments not to participate in foreign or international negotiations without first receiving permission from belonging to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

This was said in an Abuja statement on Saturday by Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the midst of the Ogun State Government and Zhongshan’s contract dispute.

Tuggar emphasized that in order to prevent such problems in the future, it is crucial to register international agreements with the Federal Government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The minister pointed out that the deal between the Ogun State Government and the Chinese corporation was negotiated without the Federal Government’s knowledge, leading to the seizure of national assets.

He emphasized that experienced parties with the proper education and expertise were needed for international talks, and that subnational entities shouldn’t participate in these discussions on their own.

‘Part of the issue arises when sub-national actors, such as state governments,’ the statement continued.

without consulting the Federal Government or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, take it upon themselves to enter into agreements and international arrangements. When things go wrong, we are left to handle the issue.

It is crucial, therefore, that any such agreements be filed with the Federal Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassy, and the mission there.

We are unaware of this agreement that Ogun State engaged into during a previous administration—not this governor.

The only thing we know is that they are pursuing assets in Nigeria.

For this reason, sub-national actors actually have no business engaging in foreign or international discussions.

It’s important to have someone with experience in individuals in this field who possess the knowledge and expertise required to negotiate these kinds of agreements.’