3 Nigerian Presidential Jets Seized In France
A French court sitting in France has filed an order seizing three presidential jets linked to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Two of the jets, part of the Nigerian presidential air fleet, were recently put up for sale, while the third, an Airbus 330, was purchased by Nigeria but not yet delivered.
The seizure of the presidential jets is a result of an application by Zhongshan, a Chinese company whose export processing zone management contract was revoked by the Ogun State government in 2016.
An independent arbitral tribunal chaired by the former President of the UK Supreme Court awarded Zhongshan about $74.5 million in compensation, but the Ogun State government, which has a dispute with Zhongshan, has yet to honour the award.
The Federal Government is facing this backlash over an action taken by one of its subnationals with which Zhongshan has a business dispute.
The bailiffs will be able to go to any place where the aircraft registered 5N-FGU, 5N-FGT and 5N-FGA are located and seize them;
The bailiffs will be able to include the type of aircraft and its registration number, as well as its main equipment and accessories, in the seizure report;
The bailiffs may be assisted by any person, request any equipment and take any measure necessary to implement the measure ordered, and in particular, request any employee and equipment of Paris-Le Bourget Airport and Basel-Mulhouse International Airport;
Let’s say that the aircraft, registered 5N-FGU, 5N-FGT and 5N-FGA, will be positioned so that the cockpit faces a wall or building or in any other way that prevents it from taking off again autonomously;
Once the aircraft have been seized, the bailiffs will appoint any third party of their choice as custodian of the aircraft registered 5N-FGU, 5N-FGT and 5N-FGA;
Let us say that the bailiffs will be able to use public force;
We hereby declare that this order may be set up against any third party holding the property subject to seizure;
Let’s just say that it will be referred to us in case of difficulty;
This order is enforceable on the basis of the minutes alone.
Date L($ JÇ in our chambers, at the seat of the Paris Judicial Court.
The enforcement judge
