Ex-Ogun Governors Unite Against Chinese Firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company

Two former governors of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun and Gbenga Daniel, have pledged their full support to the Federal Government’s efforts in recovering national assets seized by a French court following a legal dispute involving a Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited. The company had secured a court judgment that resulted in the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets – a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus 330 – after a long-standing dispute over a joint venture agreement with the Ogun State Government.

The former governors, in separate statements issued on Saturday, described Zhongshan as a “scammer” with no legitimate claim to the compensation awarded by the French court. Both leaders emphasized the need to protect Nigeria’s sovereign assets from foreign entities seeking to exploit the country’s resources through dubious legal maneuvers.

Background of the Dispute: The Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone

The conflict traces back to 2007 when the Ogun State Government entered into a joint venture agreement with Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company and another firm to establish the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone Company. The project was intended to enhance economic cooperation between Nigeria and China, creating a hub for industrial activities in Ogun State. However, by 2016, the agreement between the parties deteriorated, leading to Zhongshan filing multiple lawsuits in both Nigerian federal and state courts to reclaim its contractual rights.

Despite their legal efforts in Nigeria, Zhongshan failed to achieve a favorable outcome. The company then escalated the matter to a French court, which awarded them $74.5 million in damages. The court also prohibited Nigeria from moving or selling the seized presidential jets until the compensation was paid. The former governors, Amosun and Daniel, have expressed their dismay at the outcome, condemning Zhongshan’s tactics and calling for the protection of Nigeria’s national interests.

Amosun’s Stand: Protecting Nigeria’s Sovereign Assets

In a strongly worded statement, former Governor Ibikunle Amosun labeled Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company as an “unlawful entity without locus standi,” arguing that there was no basis for negotiation with the firm. He recounted the events that unfolded during his administration, highlighting how the business rivalry between Zhongshan and another Chinese firm, China Africa Investment FXE, disrupted activities within the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone.

Amosun revealed that his administration had initially appointed Zhongshan as an interim zone manager in 2012 to maintain order within the zone. However, after a thorough investigation, it was discovered that Zhongshan’s claims against China Africa were unfounded. The Chinese firm was accused of spreading false information to undermine China Africa’s position and seize control of state-owned assets. Amosun emphasized that all legal actions taken by Zhongshan in Nigerian courts were unsuccessful, reaffirming that the dispute was purely a business conflict between two Chinese entities with no direct connection to the Ogun State or the Federal Government.

The former governor stressed that the Nigerian government should treat Zhongshan’s case similarly to how it handled the P&ID case, which involved another foreign entity attempting to exploit Nigeria’s resources through legal means. Amosun expressed his willingness to collaborate with government agencies to prevent Zhongshan from succeeding in what he described as a scam against the Nigerian people.

Daniel’s Commitment: Offering Support for a Diplomatic Resolution

Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, also weighed in on the issue, offering to provide crucial documents that could aid the Federal Government in its legal battle against Zhongshan. Daniel, who served as the governor of Ogun State before Amosun, expressed his readiness to assist President Bola Tinubu in finding a diplomatic solution to what he termed a “national embarrassment.”

Daniel described the situation as a highly sensitive matter involving collective national assets and called on all Nigerians to remain vigilant. He noted that while the legal dispute is ongoing in various courts around the world, the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone continues to operate, with several Nigerian workers and businesses still active within the zone. Daniel’s statement underscores the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests and preventing foreign entities from exploiting the country’s resources under the guise of legal settlements.

Calls for National Unity: Defending Nigeria’s Economic Sovereignty

The statements from both Amosun and Daniel reflect a broader concern about the vulnerability of Nigeria’s economic sovereignty in the face of international legal disputes. The former governors have called for a united front to defend the country’s assets from being seized by foreign companies using questionable legal tactics. Their stance highlights the need for stringent measures to protect Nigeria’s resources and ensure that national assets are not compromised by external influences.

As the Federal Government continues to pursue legal avenues to overturn the French court’s decision, the support from these prominent political figures signals a collective determination to safeguard Nigeria’s interests. The case of Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that developing nations face in protecting their sovereignty in a globalized world where legal disputes can have far-reaching implications.