Senator Amosun Reveals Chinese Business Dispute Behind Presidential Jets Seizure

BY ABU-SATAR HAMED

ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA -Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former governor of Ogun State, has stated that the recent seizure of Presidential Jets by Zhongfu International Investment FXE is a business dispute between two Chinese companies.

In a media release, Amosun emphasized his willingness to collaborate with both the Federal and Ogun State governments to shed more light on the issue.

Amosun’s release highlights the government’s position on the matter, stating that Nigeria should not entertain Zhongfu International Investment FXE, as doing so would be supporting an entity without legal standing to claim Nigerian assets.

The release discusses the background of the dispute, which began during Amosun’s administration starting in May 2011.

“It involved two Chinese firms, China Africa Investment FXE and Zhongfu International Investment FXE, both claiming management rights over the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ).

“The rivalry between these Chinese companies disrupted business operations and threatened public safety.

“Zhongfu International Investment FXE, posing as a concerned party, provided misleading information about China Africa Investment FXE and requested to be appointed as Interim Zone Managers.

“This request was granted temporarily on March 15, 2012, to maintain order while further investigations were conducted.

“It was later found that Zhongfu’s claims were false. The People’s Republic of China clarified in Diplomatic Note 1601, dated March 11, 2016, that China Africa Investment FXE was the legitimate investor.

“Despite Zhongfu’s legal battles in Nigerian courts, where they lost all cases, Ogun State Government and its partners took decisive actions, including issuing a termination notice to Zhongfu on May 27, 2016.”

The release details ongoing court proceedings, including Suit No HCT/417/2016 and Suit No AB/04/2017, which underscore the nature of the dispute between Zhongfu and China Africa.

These cases have reinforced that the conflict is purely a business matter between two foreign entities with minimal relevance to Nigerian governance.

Senator Amosun concluded by affirming that the original 2007 agreement regarding the OGFTZ remains valid and that there was no need for renegotiation during his tenure.

He denies any allegations of harassment by security agencies and insisted that Nigeria should avoid engaging with Zhongfu International Investment FXE.

Amosun called for treating this matter with the same resolve as the P&ID case and expressed his readiness to work with government agencies to prevent any attempts to defraud Nigeria.

Senator Amosun asserts that the dispute between Zhongfu and China Africa should not undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty or result in the appropriation of its assets.

He emphasized his commitment to ensuring Nigeria’s interests are safeguarded against such unlawful claims.