Chinese shareholders dispute control of company in Nigeria — Premium Times Nigeria
In Nigeria, Chinese partners are engaged in a court dispute over control of ceramics manufacturer Crown Ceramics Nigeria Limited. A group of majority shareholders, who collectively own 65% of the company, claims that minority shareholder and managing director Chen Dongfeng allegedly effectively took over management of the business, although, according to them, he holds about 8% of the shares.
As Premium Times Nigeria reports, the dispute is being heard by courts in Abeokuta, Lagos and Abuja. Nigeria’s police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Corporate Affairs Commission and the office of the country’s vice president are also involved in the case.
Lawsuits over company management
Majority shareholders Zhang Kefeng, Zhang Linshuang, Liu Zhengyu and Liao Yuzhen filed a lawsuit with the Federal High Court in Abeokuta in 2025. They claim that since March 2025, they have had no access to the factory, financial records, bank accounts or corporate decision-making. According to them, requests to inspect accounts, conduct an audit, hold board meetings and distribute profits were ignored or blocked.
Chen Dongfeng filed a counterclaim with a court in Abeokuta, seeking to have a meeting that, according to documents, took place on March 1, 2025 declared invalid. He states that he did not receive the legally required notice containing the date, venue, agenda and necessary documents. Dongfeng also seeks to prohibit the majority shareholders from implementing decisions they allegedly made at that meeting.
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In April 2026, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja temporarily prohibited obstruction of the majority shareholders’ access to the company’s premises. The court also instructed the inspector general of police to provide adequate security to facilitate enforcement of the order. At the same time, the shareholders’ lawyer, Sanusi Musa, said they still cannot access the enterprise.
Petition to the financial crimes commission
In a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dated July 10, the majority shareholders accused Chen Dongfeng and other individuals of possible diversion, misuse and misappropriation of company funds. According to their claims, approximately 40 billion naira may have been diverted, transferred or unlawfully used since March 2025. The petition also includes allegations of possible routing of revenue to personal accounts or affiliated companies, questionable procurement, unjustified payments and non-public cross-border transfers.
Dongfeng’s lawyer, Emeka Ekweozor, categorically denied all the allegations, calling them false and unfounded. He noted that these matters are connected to court proceedings that have not yet been concluded. Premium Times Nigeria reported that it was unable to independently verify the allegations made against Dongfeng.
