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JUST IN: FG Battles Against Seizure Of Presidential Jets In France

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The Presidency has addressed reports about a French court’s decision to seize three Nigerian presidential jets.

Recall that the court ordered the seizure due to a failed deal between the Ogun State government and a Chinese company.

The jets involved are a Dassault Falcon 7X, a Boeing 737-7N6/BBJ, and an Airbus A330-243, which are located at Paris-Le Bourget and Basel-Mulhouse airports.

The Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, had its export processing zone management contract with the Ogun State government revoked in 2016 and subsequently sought legal action.

In response, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated that the company misled the court.

Related News: French Court Orders Seizure Of Nigerian Presidential Jets

He also noted that Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice is collaborating with the Ogun State government to overturn the ruling.

He said, “The Presidency is aware of the various failed attempts by a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, to take over offshore assets of the Federal Government of Nigeria through subterfuge.

“The Federal Government is not under any contractual obligation with the company. The case in which Zhongshan is trying to use every unorthodox means to strip our offshore assets is between the company and the Ogun State Government.

“The Federal Government is fully aware of efforts being made by the Ogun State Government to reach an amicable resolution on the matter.

“It must be said without any equivocation that Zhongshan has no solid ground to demand restitution from the Ogun State Government based on the facts regarding the 2007 contract between the company and the State Government to manage a free-trade zone.

“When the contract with Ogun State was revoked in 2015, the company had only erected a perimeter fence on the land earmarked for a free trade zone.

“While the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is working with the Ogun State Government on an amicable resolution, Zhongshan obtained two orders from the Judicial Court of Paris dated March 7, 2024, and August 12, 2024, without any notice being duly served on the Federal Government of Nigeria and Ogun State Government.

“This arm-twisting tactic by the Chinese company is the latest in a long list of failed moves to attach Nigerian government-owned assets in foreign jurisdictions.

“The material facts in the transaction between the Ogun State Government and Zhongshan point to another P&ID case in which unscrupulous and questionable individuals falsely present themselves as investors with the sole objective of undercutting and scamming Governments in Africa.

“Undoubtedly, Zhongshan withheld vital information and misled the Judicial Court in Paris into attaching the Nigerian government’s presidential jets, which are on routine maintenance in France. The use and nature of the Presidential jets as assets of a Sovereign entity whose assets are protected by diplomatic immunity forbid any foreign Court from issuing an order against them.

“We are convinced the Chinese company misled the Judicial Court of Paris regarding the use and nature of the assets it seeks to attach and did not fully disclose to the court as required by law.

“This same Chinese company had tried to enforce its questionable judgment in the UK and USA but failed. We want to assure Nigerians that the Federal Government is working with the Ogun State Government to discharge this frivolous order in Paris immediately.”

 

International News

Turkish Model Arrested Over Plan To Sleep With 100 Men In 24 Hours

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A 23-year-old Turkish OnlyFans model, Ezra Vandan, also known as Azranur AV, has been detained in Istanbul for publicly announcing her plan to engage in sexual activity with 100 men within 24 hours.

The announcement, made on social media, sparked outrage and led to her arrest by the Istanbul Security Branch Directorate’s Morality Bureau.

Vandan had shared her intentions on January 14, 2025, posting a photo of herself in red lingerie with the caption: “My goal is to break a Turkish record first, then a world record! I’m starting with 100 men in 24 hours.”

She reportedly planned to live-stream the event, which was widely criticised as “obscene” and “damaging to societal morals.”

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According to reports, the post drew the attention of authorities, who initiated an investigation and apprehended her while she awaited a cosmetic surgery operation in Atasehir. Footage captured her being escorted down the stairs of a hospital by female officers, her wrists bound behind her.

In a controversial twist, Vandan allegedly uploaded a revealing image taken during her arrest by a police officer, captioning it, “I had the photo taken by one of the officers, he didn’t object much.”

Her husband, Pedram Behdar Vandan, 25, was also briefly detained but later released.

The Istanbul 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace has charged Vandan with obscenity, resisting an officer on duty, and slander, stating that her actions and posts were “damaging to moral values” and “provocative to society.”

Defending herself in court, Vandan argued that her posts were personal and did not harm anyone. “I do not deserve to be judged,” she said.

The case has reignited debates in Turkey about personal freedom and societal values.

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International News

Train Accident In Maharashtra Claims 11 Lives After Panic Over Fire Alarm

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Eleven passengers tragically lost their lives on Wednesday in Maharashtra, India, after jumping off a moving train amid fears of a fire, only to be struck by an oncoming train.

The incident occurred in Jalgaon district, approximately 400 kilometres from Mumbai, and has once again highlighted safety issues in India’s extensive railway network, which serves millions of passengers daily.

Ayush Prasad, a senior district official, confirmed the fatalities and stated that five other passengers are receiving medical treatment. “People were run over by a train,” he said, without clarifying if the fire alarm was genuine or false.

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According to a spokesperson for Indian Railways, the chaos began when someone activated the “alarm chain” on the Mumbai-bound train, prompting several passengers to disembark. Tragically, they were struck by a train traveling in the opposite direction.

India’s interior minister, Amit Shah, expressed his grief over the incident, saying, “Deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident.” Maharashtra’s chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, described the tragedy as “deeply disturbing” and said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Despite efforts to modernise the railway infrastructure with a $30 billion investment aimed at improving safety and connectivity, accidents remain a significant concern. Official records indicate that an average of 20,000 people died annually in rail-related accidents between 2017 and 2021.

In 2023, one of the country’s deadliest rail disasters claimed nearly 300 lives when a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train, leading to further collisions.

India continues to grapple with balancing its rapid economic growth with ensuring the safety of its ageing railway network.

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NEWS

Joy In Enugu As Beatrice Ekweremadu Released From UK Prison

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Mrs Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has been released from a United Kingdom prison after serving her sentence.

Sources confirmed that she returned to Nigeria on Tuesday and is currently in Abuja.

The news of her release has sparked widespread celebration in her hometown of Mpu, located in the Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Mrs Ekweremadu was jailed in 2023 alongside her husband and one Obinna Obeta for an organ-trafficking plot. While Beatrice has returned home, her husband remains in custody, prompting prayers from the community for his release.

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Mr Benjamin Chijioke, President of the Mpu Town Union Federated, expressed immense relief and joy over her return. “Our joy as Mpu people knows no bounds. It is a great day for us. Since morning, it has been jubilation and celebration in all the villages. People are shedding tears of joy, especially those who depended on the philanthropic disposition of the family to survive,” Chijioke said. He also prayed for Senator Ekweremadu’s safe return, noting the significant setback their absence had caused the community.

Ogbuka Edwin, the councillor of Mpu Ward, described the day as a “public holiday” in the community. “The absence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife created a big gap in the community. We are not going to relent in our prayers until our hero and leader joins his family, and we are trusting what God can do. It is celebration galore,” Edwin stated.

The entire Mpu community came alive on the Orie market day, with jubilations marking the family’s partial reunion. Meanwhile, supporters continue to hope and pray for the Senator’s eventual release.

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