Zhongshan, the Chinese company at the centre of a dispute with the Nigerian government over the seizure of three presidential jets, has responded to claims made by the Federal Government.
In a statement, Zhongshan said it is ready to settle with the Nigerian government and has been waiting for an indication that the government is willing to negotiate.
The company’s statement comes after a French court authorized the seizure of the three presidential jets linked to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The court order prohibits the jets’ movement, sale, or purchase until Zhongshan receives $74.5 million awarded to the company.
Zhongshan said it has only ever sought to assert its rights under international law and is confident in its case.
“Zhongshan has only ever sought to assert its rights under international law and is confident in its case. The independent arbitral panel was found unanimously in its favour, and courts in multiple countries have upheld the view that the panel’s compensation should be enforced. The French court was fully aware of the facts when it reached its decision.
“Far from being just a fence, the Ogun Free Trade Zone was featured as a significant international investment by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
“Zhongshan has for a long time been ready to enter serious negotiations with the federal government of Nigeria to settle this case and still awaits an indication that the government is equally willing,” the statement said.
Recall that in response to the court judgement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the order by the French court as a result of arm-twisting tactics by Zhongshan. Onanuga said the federal government and the Ogun State government had made efforts to resolve the matter, but Zhongshan withheld vital information and misled the French court.
“The use and nature of the Presidential jets as assets of a Sovereign entity whose assets are protected by diplomatic immunity forbid any foreign Court from issuing an order against them,” Onanuga said.
The dispute between Zhongshan and the Nigerian government dates back to 2016 when the Ogun State government revoked the company’s export processing zone management contract. Zhongshan launched an investment treaty arbitration against Nigeria, citing the bilateral investment treaty between China and Nigeria.
An arbitral tribunal eventually issued a final award of $55,675,000 in addition to interest and costs payable by Nigeria to Zhongshan in March 2021.
Nigeria a stupid county. Nigeria, the laughing stock of every nations on earth. This beautiful damsel country (Nigeria) rich in resources is doomed because all her suitors (leaders) from independence have always been Interested in plunging her resources for selfish reason and there has not been any suitor (leader) bold enough and love her enough to probe and bring to justice all those who have raped her. It is so bad to the extent that even foreigners (Chinese, Lebanese, Indians) etc have raped her times without number without consequence. The question is what has happened to former Governor (Ibikule Amosu) & his accomplishes for bringing this shame upon Nigeria? I know just like other heinous crimes some privileged few have committed against the country, nothing will happen. Can Nigeria’ns do those with any Chinese State in China without heavy repercussion? When a nation is submerged in the water of corruption and embezzlement, this is what you see. When a nation uses her oil wealth to borrow money from all over the world this is what you see. I pity our children coming behind. May they not be called unfortunate to have been born a Nigeria. It is well with you O dear Nigeria.
Sorry NIGERIA & IT’S CITIZENS
My brother don’t worry
It’s just that it will be a pity that our generation might not be alive to witness the uproar and uprising that will befall these people.
Nigerians are been awakened daily to their rights and to the evil hideous crime by this evil leaders. Even if they are not alive, I pity their children’s children that will be alive because they will carry the judgement that will be meted on them. This will come to pass
You should pity them now and do something not the children that does not know anything. When it reach election time you’ll forget all this your saying and stand behind a crook because he’s your tribesman or same religion. Our people use to say that anything you brought upon yourself make you take your head carry am.
Talk wisely, my brother, it’s true things are bad,, it’s the works and behaviours of all and sundry from all nooks and crannies… What we need is prayers and sincerity. You don’t need to call your country STUPID. It’s well with us all …we SHD all change our attitudes and behaviours.
God bless Nigeria and Nigerians
Prayers don’t really work what works is principle
The government was not being proactive in handling the matter. And again , the Federal government should be watchful of the State governments transactions with the international business concerns, in order to avoid this kind of embarrassment.
In the first instance, the absordities and confusion in this regime is assuming an unpresidented proportion.This is an issue of international dimension involving the sovereign government of Nigeria and the appropriate office and person to speak in the behave of the government and Nation is the and that of the MINISTER OF INFORMATION.
Mr Bayo Onanuga is over-driving the obnoxious policy of SNATCH, GRAB AND RUN of the Tinubu political tendency to cause a lot of confusion for this regime and the nation.He is one of the ones spreading divisiveness and confusion in this nation and recruiting justifiable enemies for this FUJI HOUSE OF COMMOTION OF A GOVERNMENT.
A focused government should have weighed the options and saved the nation loss of honour and resources.May The Almighty God give Nigeria true leaders and not clueless rulers.
So Nigeria can be stripped of her sovereignty because it invloves a powerful country like China. But what has been the judgement and international view of it since kanu was illigally renditioned from Kenya. What has been the objectivities to implementing order of the UNhuman rights ,that kanu should be unconditionally released and be compensated. Europe and America see the continent of Africa as inconsequential Swine. International law has remained the benefits of the bigger countries of the world. Nigeria is sovereign,an international personality , enjoins international immunity is now joined in a case with a Chinese company. This can’t be done to China.Europe in their civilization are hypocrites. For me to believe this adjudication , Kenya assets should be confiscated in any part of the world .
Why Nigeria jet.? It should be Ogun state jet. Judge please take notes
God this country drama is really annoying.. Ordinary Chinese firm not even the Chinese government is rubbing our face on the mold… Chaiiii.. What a Country with vision less political idiots who are only after their belly and pockets… May Almighty Allah help us all the ordinary citizens… Am seriously pissed off.
Speechless!
What a country, full of greed and selfishness ,
Nightmare of a country..