From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Government has stated that it is working to resolve the dispute over impounded aircraft, blaming improper handling of foreign matters by sub-national entities
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, made this disclosure while speaking to journalists in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, on Friday, adding that the federal government was already resolving the issue.
Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese firm, had obtained a court order in Paris to confiscate Nigeria’s presidential aircraft undergoing maintenance in France.
This action stems from a failed agreement with the Ogun State Government and aims to illegally seize Nigerian assets across eight countries, including the UK and USA, amid ongoing legal disputes
He said the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs over which he presides is working with the Attorney-General to address the issue diplomatically and legally. He said an update would be provided when necessary, adding that negotiations are ongoing to resolve the dispute.
He emphasized the importance of registering such arrangements with the relevant authorities to avoid future complications.
“But again, this is part of the problem when sub-national actors like state governments take it upon themselves to go into agreements, go into international arrangements, without recourse to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, without recourse to the federal government, and then when it goes awry, we are left with the problem to deal with.
“That is why it’s always important that such arrangements should be registered with the mission there, with the embassy, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with the federal government.
This is something that Ogun State, under a different administration, not this governor, entered into that we’re not aware of. All we know is that they’re going after Nigerian assets.”