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Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited, the Chinese firm involved in a high-profile contract dispute with the Ogun State Government, has accused Nigerian authorities of unlawfully detaining and brutalising its top officials.

The firm claims that these incidents played a significant role in its decision to pursue the seizure of Nigerian assets overseas.

The controversy took a new turn on Thursday when news broke that a French court had ordered the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets.

The jets, including a Dassault Falcon 7X and a Boeing 737, were part of Nigeria’s presidential air fleet, with one additional aircraft, an Airbus 330, purchased by Nigeria but not yet delivered.

The aircraft were seized following ex parte orders issued by the Judicial Court of Paris on March 7 and August 12, 2024.

Zhongshan initiated legal action after the Ogun State Government terminated its export processing zone management contract with the company.

An arbitral tribunal later awarded Zhongshan approximately $74.5 million in compensation, but the state government failed to comply with the ruling.

In response, Zhongshan sought enforcement through international legal channels, leading to the French court’s order to seize Nigeria’s assets.

In its statement of claim to the French court, Zhongshan detailed the alleged mistreatment of its management team in Nigeria.

The company claimed that the Ogun State Government, through the Nigerian police, assaulted, threatened, and unlawfully detained its personnel, including the Chief Financial Officer of Zhongfu Nigeria Ltd., a subsidiary of Zhongshan.

The company stated that these actions contributed to its decision to pursue international litigation.

Zhongshan also alleged that it suffered significant financial losses, estimated at $1.078 billion, due to the termination of the contract.

According to the company, the harsh treatment of its officials prevented it from engaging in meaningful settlement discussions with the Ogun State Government.

The company stated, “The draconian actions of the Nigerian authorities included the Secretary to the Ogun State Government (Taiwo Adeoluwa) directly threatening Zhongfu Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jianxin Han, to leave peacefully when there is an opportunity to do so, and avoid forceful removal, complications, and possible prosecution.

As if this treatment were not appalling enough, the Nigerian authorities followed through on their threats of physical harm to the claimant’s management team in Nigeria. The police arrested the Chief Financial Officer of Zhongfu Nigeria, Mr Wenxiao Zhao, detained him without basis or explanation in terrible conditions, and physically beat him on two occasions before releasing him—without any charge—after a week in two jails.”

Recounting his ordeal in police custody, Zhao said, “One police officer in uniform came over to me and slapped me twice on the face. Then the police officers who brought me there took me to a room where they asked me to sign a piece of paper.

“They did not say or explain what this paper was or what it said. I refused to sign the piece of paper. The police officers then took my flip-flops and placed me in a courtyard with a number of cells surrounding it. It was dark and cold, and I was standing at the gate to one of the cells.

“Another prisoner came out of that cell and asked why I was taken. I did not speak. There were also some other people who had been brought to the courtyard, and the prisoner told us to stand side by side and asked whether we had money and why we were there. If someone had no money, he would slap them.

“Then the prisoner took me aside and asked me to speak. He said that if I did not speak, he would beat me with a club. Later, a second prisoner took me aside and told me not to be afraid. However, the first prisoner came back and threatened me with a club and asked me to speak, which I did not do.

“On what I think was the third day in the Abuja police station, a lot of people were brought into the office. The police officers moved me to another office. The police officer then approached me asking what happened. I did not respond, and he hit me twice, first on the neck and the second time on the head with a fist. It was painful, and I felt numb.

“Fearing for their safety, Zhongfu Nigeria’s management team was forced to leave Nigeria. Zhongfu Nigeria tried to take preventive legal steps in the Nigerian courts to preserve their rights, but the Ogun State Government, NEPZA, and the police orchestrated the complete evisceration of the claimant’s investment in Nigeria.”

The Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, while speaking with Punch, said the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun knew nothing about the claims of the Chinese firm and could not respond to them.

Akinmade said, “The incident happened over three years before the present administration came on board. I can’t speak on something we know nothing about. We don’t know what happened at that time. But we will ensure our people are not shortchanged or defrauded through fraudulent judgment.”

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Office, Omolola Odutola, said the police were not involved in the matter.

She said, “It is not a police issue; we are not involved. It doesn’t have anything to do with us.”