By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi

A French court has authorized the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets due to a legal dispute between Ogun State and Chinese firm Zhongshan.

The key points of the dispute and seizure as gathered by Nigerian Monitor are:

Dispute Origin: The dispute originated in 2016 when Ogun State revoked Zhongshan’s contract to manage an export processing zone.
Arbitration Award: An independent arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of Zhongshan, awarding $74.5 million.
Seized Aircraft: The seized aircraft include a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus 330, which Nigeria had purchased but not yet received.
Court Order: The court’s order prohibits the movement, sale, or purchase of these jets until the awarded amount is paid to Zhongshan.
Escalation: The situation has escalated to include the confiscation of Nigerian-owned buildings in Liverpool, England, by a UK court related to the same dispute.
Implications: This development adds to the growing list of legal challenges faced by the Nigerian government on the international stage, with significant implications for its diplomatic and economic relations.