Airline Operators Flay Hurried Launch Of Air Nigeria, Threaten Minister With Contempt Proceedings
Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) this Thursday morning, May 25, 2023, sent a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari, warning against the hurried launch of the controversial Air Nigeria Airlines in violation of court order.
The organisation gave the warning through its solicitors, the Kano-based NUREINI JIMOH (SAN) CHAMBERS, via a petition copied the Attorney General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Signed by Abubakar Nuhu Ahmad Esq., the petition was entitled, “NIGERIA AIR PROJECT”: LAST MINUTE PLANNED DISOBEDIENCE TO COURT ORDER AND DELIBERATE PLAN TO RUBBISH THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THIS ADMINISTRATION RE: SUIT NO. FHC/L/CS/2159/2022: THE REG. TRUSTEES OF THE AIRLINE OPERATORS OF NIGERIA & ORS vs NIG AIR LTD”.
It reads: “We are solicitors to Airline Operators of Nigeria (“Our Client”). On the instruction of our client, we hereby write to you as below stated.
“Our client filed the above suit to question the shady deals, deliberate infraction of the Nigerian laws and self-enrichment/corruption, mainly against the Federal Ministry of Aviation over the Nigerian Air Project.
“In the said suit, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos presided by Hon. Justice A.L
Allagoa, granted three (3) separate Court Orders of Injunctions, in the terms contained in the Order, restraining taking of any step in relation to the Nigeria Air project. A copy each of the said Court Orders are herewith enclosed as Annexures 1, 2 & 3.
“As your Excellency is well aware, the administration will hand over on Monday May
29, 2023 but the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, is planning to circumvent the Court Orders on Friday 26th May, 2023 being the last working day of this administration and possibly to cover up the various infractions of Nigerian laws, amongst others. This was disclosed in the interview granted yesterday by the Hon. Minister to Channels Television and same has gone viral on social media. The Minister is planning to hurriedly bring in two (2) aircrafts and pretend that Nigeria Air has commenced operation. Aside moral justification for commercial operation after the Minister’s last day in office, IT IS A CLEVER WAY TO VIOLATE THE COURT ORDERS. This action has no regard to whether or not it will stain the record of this administration, whether or not it will cover for corrupt actions raised in the suit and deliberately meant to violate Court Orders for self-serving purposes.
“We therefore employ your Excellency to STOP this action of the Minister of Aviation, ensure compliance with the terms of the Order and avoid needless controversies on the action after Your Excellency’s administration would have expired. Notwithstanding, our client will still pursue contempt action against the Minister personally whether or not he left office, for the promotion of the rule of law, protection of integrity of the court and in line with international best practices.”
