Nigeria’s New Presidential Jet Detained Abroad, Released

“Zhongshan has consistently sought to act reasonably and fairly in the course of a legal dispute with Nigeria which was not of its making,” the official told this newspaper Friday afternoon.“It (Zhongshan) has now been made aware that an Airbus A330, currently detained in France as a result of a French court order obtained by Zhongshan, is needed for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to travel to a scheduled meeting with President Macron of France early next week.

“As a gesture of goodwill, Zhongshan has lifted the seizure of that aircraft immediately. This will allow it to be used for the President’s trip.

“Zhongshan remains committed to talks with representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, this time serious and substantive on both sides, with a view to reaching a reasonable compromise settlement rapidly.”

The company, however, did not say when the two remaining aircraft being detained would be released.

Zhongshan officials had on Thursday told this newspaper that they were willing to negotiate with the Nigerian government to resolve the logjam that culminated in the seizure of the three aircraft.

Recall on Wednesday reported how a French court authorised the seizure of three presidential jets linked to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The court order prohibits the jets’ movement, sale, or purchase until Zhongshan receives the awarded $74.5 million. Bailiffs have served papers for each aircraft.