Zhongshang Fucheng Industrial Investment Ltd has escalated its efforts to collect a $70 million arbitration award from Nigeria by putting two residential properties in Liverpool up for sale.
This significant development follows a 2021 arbitration verdict against Nigeria, which remains unsettled.
The Chinese investment group has reportedly listed two buildings linked to the Nigerian government—15 Aigburth Hall Road and Beech Lodge, 49 Calderstones Road—on the global online marketplace eBay.
The move is part of a broader strategy to recover the outstanding $70 million, which includes a principal amount of $55,675,000, plus interest and legal costs, as stipulated by the arbitration verdict.
The arbitration stemmed from a dispute between Zhongshang Fucheng and Ogun State over a trade treaty violation.
The company claimed that Ogun State rescinded its rights to a free trade zone in 2016, prompting a legal battle that saw Zhongshang’s executives expelled from Nigeria.
The British court granted Zhongshang the authority to seize Nigerian assets in the UK after the Nigerian government failed to settle the arbitration judgment.
The seizure and subsequent auction of these properties mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal conflict.
The properties were confiscated because they were not classified as diplomatic or consular assets, making them subject to seizure under the court’s orders.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the properties are valued at approximately $2.2 million.
Zhongshang Fucheng has opted for an online auction to expedite the sale, aiming to reach a broad pool of potential buyers.
The decision to use eBay highlights the company’s commitment to transparency and swift asset recovery.
“This move is not just about recovering the funds; it’s a demonstration of our commitment to enforcing the arbitration award and ensuring that due process is followed,” said a consultant working with Zhongshang Fucheng, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Nigerian government, already grappling with similar arbitration cases, is facing increased scrutiny as European courts have granted enforcement orders in several countries, including the UK, Belgium, and France.
The ongoing conflict with Zhongshang Fucheng has intensified pressure on Nigerian authorities to address these legal and financial challenges more effectively.
In June 2024, the UK High Court, King’s Bench Division, ruled in favor of Zhongshang’s right to seize the Liverpool properties.
Master Lisa Sullivan’s ruling emphasized that the properties were used for commercial purposes, thereby excluding them from sovereign immunity protections.
The case against Nigeria underscores broader issues related to international arbitration and asset recovery, reflecting a growing trend of global legal disputes over state assets.
For Zhongshang Fucheng, the auction of the Liverpool properties represents a critical step in securing the funds awarded by the arbitration panel.