The Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd. has released one of the three detained Nigerian Airbus A330 aircraft in France, following a court order from a Parisian court. This decision was made as a goodwill gesture to support Nigerian President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who needs the aircraft for an upcoming meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

A company spokesperson explained, “Zhongshan has acted fairly in the legal dispute with Nigeria, which was not initiated by us. We were informed that an Airbus A330, currently held in France due to a court order we obtained, is needed by the Nigerian President for his meeting with President Macron. As a gesture of goodwill, we have lifted the seizure to facilitate the President’s trip.”

The company remains committed to negotiating a fair resolution with the Nigerian government. The Federal Government had taken legal steps to address the interim seizure of the three aircraft, which were detained following French court orders on March 7 and August 12, 2024.

Kamarudeen Ogundele, Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Publicity, confirmed that both the National Security Adviser and Attorney-General of the Federation are pursuing legal and diplomatic measures to secure the aircraft’s release, emphasizing that these assets are sovereign and immune from seizure.

Zhongshan expressed confidence in the arbitral panel’s ruling, which favored the company. The spokesperson noted that courts in various countries have upheld the decision to award compensation, reinforcing their position. “Zhongshan has merely asserted its rights under international law and remains confident in our case. The independent arbitral panel’s decision was unanimous, and courts globally have confirmed the award of compensation,” the spokesperson added.