By Chico Mies Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, has formally accepted an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as confirmed by his media office on Wednesday, following consultations with family members, legal advisors, and political associates. According to a statement issued by Ohiare Michael, Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, the former governor's decision to appear before the anti-corruption agency underscores his commitment to transparency. Bello faces 19 charges related to money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion. Notably, he has sought to enforce his fundamental rights to ensure due process. The former governor has expressed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration and its anti-corruption initiatives. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede had previously pledged to resign if Bello was not prosecuted, reaffirming the commission's commitment to pursuing the case to its logical conclusion.
The Nigerian federal government's Dassault Falcon 7X, Boeing 737-7N6/BBJ, and Airbus A330-243 were reportedly taken by the company and were based at Basel-Mulhouse and Paris-Le Bourget airports. The Punch reported on these seizures.
“Zhongshan has consistently acted reasonably and fairly in a legal dispute with Nigeria, which it did not initiate," a business spokeswoman said in a statement. The business has been notified that the President of Nigeria will require an Airbus A330, which is being held in France as a result of a French court order that Zhongshan was able to get, for his meeting with President Macron next week. Zhongshan has released the aircraft from seizure in an act of goodwill, enabling the President to travel on it.
The company is still committed to negotiating with the Nigerian government, the representative continued, adding that they expect to quickly reach a "reasonable compromise."
In response to the Paris Judicial Court's ex parte rulings from March 7 and August 12, 2024, which led to the temporary seizure of the three presidential aeroplanes in France, the Federal Government filed legal action.
The Offices of the National Security Adviser and Attorney-General of the Federation are pursuing both legal and diplomatic measures to secure the release of the aircraft, according to Kamarudeen Ogundele, Minister of Justice and Special Advisor to the President on Communication and Publicity at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Ogundele underlined that the planes are exempt from attachment since they are government assets utilised only for sovereign purposes.
Zhongshan reaffirmed its faith in the arbitral panel's decision, which sided with the business unanimously. The company's position has been further validated, the representative noted, by the fact that courts in several different nations have upheld the panel's decision to grant compensation.
Zhongshan is confident in its position and has merely attempted to assert its rights under international law. The impartial panel of arbitrators reached a unanimous decision in our favour, and courts across multiple nations have upheld the panel's compensation award. The spokesman said, "The French court made its verdict with all the pertinent data at hand.
By Chico Mies
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