Gbenga Daniel, the former governor of Ogun State, has commented on the ongoing legal dispute between a Chinese firm and the Nigerian government concerning the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone (FTZ).
The controversy has led to the seizure of three aircraft from the Nigerian presidential fleet in France and Switzerland under a court order.
The Chinese company, Zhongshan, is involved in a protracted legal battle with Ogun State over the management of an export processing zone.
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The seized aircraft include a Dassault Falcon 7X in Paris, and a Boeing 737 and an Airbus A330, valued at over $100 million, which were still undergoing maintenance in Switzerland. Zhongshan, having been awarded $74.5 million in damages after a court ruled in its favor regarding the contract termination by Ogun State, is using the seizure of these jets to recover the awarded amount.
In a statement issued by his media office on Saturday, Gbenga Daniel, who conceived the idea for the free trade zone during his tenure, clarified that neither he nor his administration is directly involved in the ongoing arbitration and legal proceedings related to the termination of the FTZ management contract.
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Daniel emphasized that the current legal issues pertain specifically to the termination of a management contract, not the foundational agreements for establishing the FTZ. He noted that all relevant court judgments have thoroughly addressed these matters.
The statement reads in part: “We need to establish clearly that Otunba Gbenga Daniel, or his administration is not in discussion on the matter before the courts and arbitration, neither were the terms or proprietary of the Agreement for the establishment of the FTZ, rather it is the termination of a Management Contract. The judgements in all the courts are very clear on this,”.
Acknowledging the sensitivity of the situation involving national assets, Daniel emphasized the need for a diplomatic resolution.
He reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu and the federal government in seeking a diplomatic solution, rather than engaging in public discussions that might undermine Nigeria’s legal standing.
Daniel also assured the public that the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone remains operational, with numerous companies continuing their activities within the zone. He highlighted the significant developmental progress made in the Igbesa area during his tenure as governor, including infrastructure improvements and educational support for the local community.
In his statement, Daniel called for accurate reporting and urged the media to avoid politicizing the issue, stressing the importance of supporting the government in resolving the dispute in Nigeria’s best interest.
