Seized Jets Controversy: Ex-Gov Amosun Clarifies Role in Ogun, Chinese Firm Dispute

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former Governor of Ogun State, has addressed the ongoing dispute involving Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd, a Chinese firm that recently seized three Nigerian government aircraft. This dispute arises from a 2016 contract cancellation by the Ogun State government.

The seized jets were reportedly held at Paris-Le Bourget and Basel-Mulhouse airports, with one aircraft returned after it was revealed that President Bola Tinubu needed it for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Amosun detailed his involvement in the matter. He explained that during his tenure from 2011 to 2019, his administration faced intense business rivalries between Zhongfu International Investment FXE and China Africa Investment FXE over the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ). Amosun claimed Zhongfu International Investment FXE misled the government to gain control of the zone, leading to a legal and diplomatic conflict.

Amosun asserted that, despite numerous court rulings favoring China Africa Investment FXE and a formal termination notice issued in 2016, Zhongfu International Investment FXE continued to pursue its claims through various legal and governmental channels.

He emphasized that the agreement made with Guangdong Province in 2007 remains valid, and he criticized Zhongfu International Investment FXE as an illegitimate entity seeking to exploit Nigeria’s resources. Amosun concluded that Nigeria should address Zhongfu’s claims similarly to the P&ID case and avoid any further negotiations with the firm.