Presidential Jets: Amosun rejects negotiation with Zhongfu, calls for tougher stance

Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has clarified the controversy between the Ogun State Government and a Chinese firm that secured a court order to confiscate three Nigerian presidential jets in France.

In a statement personally signed by him on Saturday, Amosun said Nigeria should not entertain Zhongfu International Investment FXE, asserting that doing so would be tantamount to indulging and encouraging an unlawful entity without locus standi to appropriate Nigeria’s common patrimony.

Amosun said that Zhongfu International Investment FXE should be treated as Nigeria did with the P&ID case, stating that there is no basis for negotiation.

His statement read: “We have read various media accounts regarding the situation in both print and social media. We align with the appropriate responses from Ogun State and the Federal Government. Events leading to this unfortunate situation occurred before, during, and after our administration.

“Upon assuming office on May 29, 2011, two different Chinese companies, Messrs China Africa Investment FXE and Zhongfu International Investment FXE, laid claims to management rights over the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ).

“Zhongfu International Investment FXE, pretending to be a genuine stakeholder, provided damaging information about the official representatives of Guangdong Province, China, and requested to be appointed as interim Zone managers.

“It was later discovered that Zhongfu’s claims were lies intended to de-market China Africa Investment FXE and surreptitiously seize state-owned assets of Guangdong Province, China.

“In March 2016, the Chinese government clarified that China Africa Investment FXE was the rightful investor. Consequently, we terminated Zhongfu’s management rights in May 2016.

“Zhongfu lost all four cases it filed in Nigerian courts but continued to petition higher authorities in Abuja, including the Presidency and National Assembly. We successfully defended our actions, and all agreed with our position.”

Amosun further stated that the original 2007 agreement governing the Zone remained in effect throughout his administration, and no contract renegotiation was necessary.

He also denied accusations of using police or security agents to intimidate anyone involved in the dispute.

Amosun concluded by urging Nigeria to treat Zhongfu’s case like the P&ID matter, saying that the ongoing attempt to appropriate Nigeria’s sovereign assets is unacceptable and must be stopped.