As public attention grows, industry observers are waiting to see if FAAN will release the footage. The release could potentially corroborate or counter both narratives.

Air Peace has firmly rejected allegations of passenger extortion made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, calling the claims deliberate falsehoods and defamatory. The airline has challenged the senator to provide evidence and has demanded that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) release Oshiomhole extortion CCTV footage to clarify what transpired.

The senator, who represents Edo North and is a former Edo State governor, recently claimed during a press conference in Abuja that Air Peace was engaging in unethical practices. He stated that he arrived early for a scheduled flight but was denied boarding, despite checking in online and presenting his business class ticket.

In a swift rebuttal, Air Peace issued a statement explaining that Senator Oshiomhole missed Flight P47120, which was scheduled to depart Lagos for Abuja at 6:30 a.m. According to the airline, he arrived late and attempted to disrupt operations after being informed he would not be allowed to board.

“Our flight was never overbooked,” the statement said. “In fact, the aircraft departed with over thirty empty seats. No tickets were sold after check-in closed.”

Air Peace insisted that it follows a strict on-time performance policy and would not jeopardize its schedule for monetary gain. The airline also denied that the senator was fighting on behalf of other passengers or was offered preferential treatment.

“Senator Oshiomhole was not fighting for anyone. He began to foment trouble when informed that he had arrived late,” the airline added. “He jumped on the baggage conveyor belt, blocked the entrance gate, and instigated other passengers to protest against the airline.”

The airline then called on FAAN to release Oshiomhole extortion CCTV footage showing the senator’s conduct from the moment he entered the airport terminal. According to Air Peace, doing so would provide Nigerians with clear insight into the events.

Meanwhile, Senator Oshiomhole has refuted the airline’s claims. Addressing journalists, he said he arrived 40 minutes ahead of departure and had completed online check-in the night before. He insisted that he was turned away while others who arrived later were allowed to board.

“My aide who was traveling with me was allowed to board. I was denied a boarding pass for no valid reason,” he said. “People with cheaper tickets were told the flight was full, while new tickets were sold on the spot for over N250,000.”

He alleged that the airline’s staff told him the check-in deadline had changed from 30 to 45 minutes without prior notice. He also described witnessing distressed passengers, including a mother with a baby, who were denied boarding despite having valid tickets.

“I did not cause a disruption. I was calm and only spoke up because ordinary Nigerians were being unfairly treated,” Oshiomhole stated. “They offered to ‘help’ me because I’m a public figure, but I refused.”

Oshiomhole said he had to send money to assist one of the stranded passengers. He claimed that such cases reflect broader systemic issues in the aviation sector. He called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the federal government to investigate.

“This is ruthless capitalism,” the senator stated. “Regulatory agencies are either compromised or complicit. The government must act now before public frustration worsens.”

As public attention grows, industry observers are waiting to see if FAAN will release the footage. The release could potentially corroborate or counter both narratives. Until then, the controversy surrounding the Oshiomhole extortion CCTV footage continues to stir national conversation.