By Utebor Paul, Nigeria
A Canadian court has directed a Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Ltd, to take control of a Nigerian luxury jet as part of ongoing efforts to recover over $70 million in arbitration awards.
This move is part of a broader global initiative to seize Nigerian assets in various countries.
According to reports, the Chinese company recently completed the transfer of custody for the Bombardier 6000 type BD-700-1A10 aircraft from Canadian authorities in Montreal.
The jet, initially purchased by former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Dan Etete worth $57 million, was seized by the Nigerian government in 2016 amid allegations related to the controversial OPL 245 oil field sale.
In March 2024, Judge David Collier of a Canadian court dismissed Nigeria’s attempt to retain ownership of the jet and rejected the country’s claim of sovereign immunity, aligning with similar rulings from arbitration panels in the UK and a recent appellate court decision in the US.
This latest seizure is part of Zhongshan’s broader efforts to reclaim Nigerian assets worldwide. The company has already confiscated properties in the UK, France, and Canada, including Nigerian guest houses, presidential jets, and now, the luxury Bombardier aircraft.
Further seizures are expected in Belgium and the United States.
The legal dispute originated from a failed free trade zone agreement between Zhongshan and the Ogun State government in Nigeria. Despite ongoing negotiations, no significant progress has been made in resolving the issue.
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