August 23, (THEWILL) – Barely a week after the seizure of three presidential aircraft through a French Court order by a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, the firm has again confiscated another Nigerian government jet in Canada.
The aircraft, a Bombardier 6000 type BD-700-1A10 valued at $57 million, was initially seized in 2016 from Dan Etete (a former Minister of Petroleum under the regime of late General Sani Abacha) by the Federal Government following his receipt of over $350 million from the corrupt sale of the OPL 245 oil field in 2010.
The jet, identified by its tail number M-MYNA and serial number 9471, was initially seized from Etete by Nigerian authorities in 2016 and held in Dubai. The jet was flown to Canada on May 29, 2020, where Nigeria quickly secured a court order to seize it and keep it at Montreal’s main airport.
Although a Canadian company, Tibit, claimed ownership, the Canadian courts ruled in favour of Nigeria, allowing it to retain possession.
However, in 2023, Zhongshan Fucheng, a Chinese firm, moved to seize the aircraft as part of its efforts to enforce arbitration awards against the Ogun State Government.
On March 21, 2024, Judge David Collier of the Superior Court of Quebec dismissed Nigeria’s attempt to retain ownership of the Bombardier 6000 jet.
“The court authorises Plaintiff to seize before judgment the property described below, currently in the hands or under the control of the Mise-en-cause (Tibit Limited) and/or the Custodians (Aviation Etcetera S.E.C. and/or Starlink Aviation Inc.) or any of their parent, subsidiary or affiliated entities:
“A Bombardier 6000 Jet (type BD-700-1A10) with Tail number M-MYNA and serial number 9471, registered with the Isle of Man Aircraft Registry (the “Aircraft”) and all rights of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in, to or against (i) the Aircraft; and (ii) any proceeds from the sale or transfer of the Aircraft that is payable or belonging to Nigeria,” the court held.
THEWILL gathered that Zhongshan had recently received a change of custodian paperwork for the aircraft from Canadian authorities in Montreal months after the court issued a judgement that empowered the company to seize the jet from Nigeria.
In pursuit of enforcement of its arbitration awards of over $70 million against the Ogun State Government, Zhongshan has confiscated several Nigerian assets overseas, including two properties in Liverpool, a Dassault Falcon 7X in Paris, a Boeing 737, and the Bombardier 6000 in Canada being the latest.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
