President Bola Tinubu will embark on a trip to France on Monday, August 19, departing from Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The President will return to the country after his brief work stay in France, a statement signed by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity said on Sunday.
The President will travel on the newly acquired luxury Airbus A330 aircraft, which landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 8.29 pm on Sunday.
SaharaReporters reported earlier on Sunday that the aircraft touched down at Abuja airport on Sunday evening, after departing from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg in France at 4:16 pm.
This followed the release of the aircraft, which was one of the three presidential jets recently confiscated by a French court in favour of a Chinese firm over a dispute with Ogun State Government.
SaharaReporters reported on Friday that Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited had announced the release of one of the three presidential aircraft belonging to Nigeria, which had been detained in France.
The Chinese company characterized the release of the aircraft as a goodwill gesture, citing the upcoming meeting between President Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The company stated that it recognized the significance of the aircraft for the diplomatic engagement and took steps to ensure its availability, thereby facilitating the meeting.
In July, SaharaReporters reported the aircraft was in France and had been spotted at an advanced stage of preparation. The plane had been assigned a tail registration featuring the seal of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and was ready for delivery.
The aircraft in question is an ACJ330-200, VP-CAC (msn 1053), registered as 5N-FGA.
It features a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom at the front, followed by an office and a conference and dining room. It also has an airline-style first-class and economy seating at the rear.
SaharaReporters on June 28 reported that the Nigerian government planned to spend over N150 billion on a new presidential jet, a move that sparked controversy.
The proposed expenditure came under scrutiny as the nation grappled with economic challenges and record inflation.
The Airbus A330 aircraft, was reportedly in possession of a German bank, and was acquired following a default on a multi-million-dollar loan by an Arab prince and businessman.
The A330 combines new-generation engines, aerodynamic and other improvements to deliver even more comfort and efficiency. Designed for highly-demanding VIP and private markets, the aircraft delivers top-end luxury, comfort and range.
On Friday, Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, alleged that the reported seizure of the country’s presidential jets by the Chinese company was a staged event.
The former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress raised questions about the release of one of the three presidential aircraft seized by a French court over a dispute between a Chinese firm and the Ogun State government.
He expressed skepticism in a post on his X account on Friday, asking why the Chinese company was selectively choosing which jet President Tinubu would use for his ‘medical trip’ from Abuja to France.
He wrote, “There is something fishy going on with these Presidential Jet seizures in France.
“It looks like this part was arranged to launch the new Presidential Jet with “sympathy.”
“Suddenly, this Chinese company is picking and choosing which jet could pick @officialABAT up in Abuja to France on an apparent medical trip.
“Clearly staged!”
