Following the recent seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets by a French court—linked to a contractual dispute between the Ogun State Government and Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd—the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) have called on state governors to enhance due diligence and legal consultations during contract negotiations.
The organizations stress that prioritizing legal processes is crucial to preventing similar occurrences in the future and ensuring accountability in governance.
In a statement from its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC and TI-Nigeria expressed deep concern over the ongoing legal dispute stemming from a 2007 agreement related to the Ogun Free Trade Zone.
Rafsanjani highlighted that the fallout from this poorly managed contract has led to substantial financial losses and damaged Nigeria’s international standing. He urged state governors to take proactive measures in safeguarding public resources by ensuring rigorous legal oversight in contract negotiations.
“State governors and government officials must fully understand the legal and ethical complexities of international agreements before entering into them. Nigeria is already grappling with numerous socio-economic challenges, and the last thing we need is to be entangled in costly legal disputes that could have been avoided with proper due diligence,” Rafsanjani stated.
He criticized the federal government for allowing state governors to access loans without sufficient risk assessment. He pointed out that personal interests often lead public officials into detrimental agreements, drawing parallels to the infamous P&ID case.
“CISLAC/TI-Nigeria’s call serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and ethical governance in handling international contracts to prevent severe repercussions from mismanagement,” he added.
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Rafsanjani credited the global advocacy efforts of CISLAC and TI-Nigeria for the country securing temporary relief through a UK court’s decision. CISLAC reiterated its calls on President Bola Tinubu and anti-corruption agencies to prosecute all Nigerians and their accomplices, including former senior officials, who were involved in colluding with P&ID for personal gain.
He emphasized that CISLAC/TI-Nigeria’s statement reflects broader concerns about Nigeria’s management of international agreements and the severe consequences of neglecting due diligence. “As the country navigates this complex legal situation, it is crucial to remember the need for vigilance and ethical governance in contract negotiations,” Rafsanjani concluded.
