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Presidential Jets: Ogun moves to vacate seizure order, faults fraudulent legal process by Zhongshan

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Confusion As Chinese firm targets Nigeria assets in eight countries

Presidential Jets: Ogun moves to vacate seizure order, faults fraudulent legal process by Zhongshan

 

 

The Ogun State Government on Thursday faulted the judicial process that led to the provisional attachment of three Nigerian government-owned aircraft in France by the Judicial Court of Paris on March 7th and August 2nd, 2024.

It would be recalled that a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd, had sought several orders from the court over an aborted underlying contract between the company and the Ogun State Government, which was initiated in 2007.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the Ogun State Government described the latest development as new antics by the Chinese company to appropriate Nigerian assets in foreign jurisdictions, as past efforts had continually failed.

The statement described the whole legal process as nothing but a total charade with fraudulent notions, adding that the company deliberately concealed the litigation from both the Nigerian government and Ogun State, as well as their legal counsels, before hurriedly securing orders of seizure.

It added that the company must have misled the Judicial Court of Paris regarding the use and nature of the assets it sought to attach and failed to make full disclosure to the court as required by law.

According to the statement, Ogun State, together with the Federal Government, had already taken immediate action to ensure that those provisional attachments are lifted quickly, even as it accused the company of reneging on the earlier discussion for an amicable resolution of the case.

It likened the case to that of P&ID, describing it as another unfortunate case of unscrupulous individuals masquerading as foreign investors with the sole aim of defrauding Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

The statement said: “On August 14, 2024, the attention of the Ogun State Government was drawn to the provisional attachment of three Nigerian government-owned aircraft in France by the Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd. (Zhongshan). Ogun State also learned of two orders of the Judicial Court of Paris dated March 7, 2024, and August 12, 2024, respectively, both obtained by Zhongshan without notice being duly given to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Ogun State, or their legal counsel.

“This is the latest in a series of ill-advised attempts by Zhongshan to attach Nigerian-owned assets in foreign jurisdictions, none of which have to date led to the recovery of any sums from Nigeria.

“Each of the three aircraft is used solely for sovereign purposes and as such are immune from attachment under international and French laws. In obtaining the provisional attachments, Zhongshan deliberately withheld information from the Federal Government of Nigeria, Ogun State, and their legal counsel.

“Just like the P&ID case, this is another unfortunate case of unscrupulous individuals masquerading as foreign investors with the sole aim of defrauding Ogun State and Nigeria.

“It should be recalled that the underlying contract between Ogun State and Zhongshan was executed in 2007, 12 years before the present administration, for the management of a free trade zone. The parties entered into a dispute in 2015 with arbitration commencing in 2016.

“By 2019, when the current State Administration took office, the hearing at the arbitration had been all but concluded. The Arbitral Panel awarded over 60 million USD against the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), which was a co-defendant, when all Zhongshan had done was to build a perimeter fence around the free trade zone. Needless to say, this was a bad/unfair decision.

“The present State Administration could not, in all good conscience, allow such an unconscionable and baseless decision, which would dissipate the commonwealth of the good people of Ogun State, to stand.

“Accordingly, and based on erudite legal advice, this Administration resolved to resist the enforcement of the award. The resistance was successful in eight different jurisdictions. Currently, there are pending appeals against recognition orders issued in both the US and UK,” the statement read.

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Ogun 1 Customs Command, NASRE Forge Stronger Ties for National Development and Border Security

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Ogun 1 Customs Command, NASRE Forge Stronger Ties for National Development and Border Security

The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently hosted the Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) at its headquarters, marking a significant step towards strengthening partnerships aimed at enhancing border security, trade facilitation, and public awareness.

During the meeting, NASRE extended its congratulations to Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu on his recent appointment as the Customs Area Controller of Ogun 1 Command. The association commended his leadership capabilities and expressed confidence in his ability to elevate the command’s operational standards.

In his welcome address, the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Hammed Bujoye Oloyede, reaffirmed Comptroller Shuaibu’s dedication to the command’s core objectives, which include revenue generation, securing Nigeria’s borders, and streamlining trade operations.

“Comptroller Shuaibu’s leadership is driven by innovation, collaboration, and active stakeholder engagement, especially with border communities. These principles are critical to achieving long-term growth and security in our operations,” Mr. Oloyede remarked.

He further stressed the importance of forming alliances with professional organizations like NASRE to ensure accurate information dissemination and to foster public trust in the Customs Service’s activities.

NASRE’s Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Obadimu, responded by expressing the association’s enthusiasm for collaborating with the Ogun 1 Command on media advocacy and public enlightenment initiatives. He emphasized NASRE’s commitment to promoting ethical journalism and transparency, values that align with the Customs Service’s mission.

“This partnership will enhance public understanding of trade policies, border security, and economic growth while strengthening the relationship between the Customs Service and the public,” Mr. Obadimu stated.

The NASRE team underscored the vital role of the media in educating the public about the challenges and successes of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in its fight against smuggling and efforts to maintain national security.

This collaboration is expected to foster a more informed public and a stronger synergy between stakeholders in promoting national development.

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Man Who Lost Memory 17 Years Ago Reunites with Family Through Divine Encounter in Lagos”

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Man Who Lost Memory 17 Years Ago Reunites with Family Through Divine Encounter in Lagos"

Man Who Lost Memory 17 Years Ago Reunites with Family Through Divine Encounter in Lagos”

A miraculous event unfolded on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, near the Task Force Office on Alasia Bolade Street, Oshodi, Lagos, opposite the Arena Military Market. Sunday Ugochukwu, a man from Ebonyi State who suffered memory loss 17 years ago, was miraculously healed and identified, leading to his reunion with his long-lost family.

Man Who Lost Memory 17 Years Ago Reunites with Family Through Divine Encounter in Lagos"

Apostle Ayoola Oladele, a Lagos-based prophet and founder of Let Us Worship Ministries Healing and Salvation, was reportedly led by the Holy Spirit to pray for a man thought to be mentally ill. Acting on divine instruction, Apostle Oladele approached the man and laid hands on him. This act of faith led to the restoration of Sunday Ugochukwu’s memory.

Upon regaining his memory, Ugochukwu revealed his identity, which was later confirmed by his family in Ebonyi State. The family, who had presumed him dead after his sudden disappearance 17 years ago, expressed immense gratitude to God and Apostle Oladele for the divine intervention.

A former military officer turned prophet, Apostle Ayoola Oladele is known for his powerful healing ministry. He shared that his spiritual strength comes from prayer, fasting, and solitary retreats on mountain tops, emulating the practices of Jesus Christ.

The Ugochukwu family hailed the incident as a testament to God’s miraculous power. They celebrated the prophet for being an instrument of God’s work, describing the event as nothing short of extraordinary.

This remarkable story stands as a testament to faith, divine power, and the boundless grace of God.

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Ibadan Christmas Stampede: CDHR Condemns Tragic Death of Over 30 Children, Calls for Justice”

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INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2024: CDHR DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ACTION AGAINST INJUSTICES

Ibadan Christmas Stampede: CDHR Condemns Tragic Death of Over 30 Children, Calls for Justice”

Over 30 children tragically lost their lives during a Christmas funfair held on Wednesday, December 18, at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State. The incident occurred due to a stampede caused by overcrowding and poor event management, leaving families devastated during what was meant to be a joyful occasion.

The event, organized by Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, in collaboration with Agidigbo FM, owned by philanthropist and radio presenter Oriyomi Hamzat, aimed to distribute gifts and scholarships to children. However, the chaotic arrangements turned the celebration into a nightmare.

Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the tragedy, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of young lives. “This is a very sad day for us in Oyo State,” the governor said, as he sympathized with grieving families. He ordered the suspension of the event and deployed security personnel and medical teams to restore order and assist the injured.

In response, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) condemned the mass deaths, attributing the disaster to the organizers’ failure to implement proper planning and safety measures for an event meant to host over 5,000 children. CDHR also expressed heartfelt condolences to the affected families and the Ibadan community.

The organization urged the Oyo State Government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation, publish their findings, and hold those responsible accountable for any negligence that led to the tragedy.

E-signed:
Comrade Debo Adeniran, National President, CDHR Nigeria
Comrade Idris Afees Olayinka, National Publicity Secretary, CDHR Nigeria

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