The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) described the bidding, approval, and unveiling processes of the national carrier as a sham. They claim the design was to kill indigenous airlines, handing over Nigeria’s aviation market to Ethiopian Airlines. The AON lauds the Nigerian judiciary for upholding justice in this matter.
In a statement, the AON expressed appreciation for the Nigerian Judiciary’s judgment on August 5, 2024. The judgment was against the purported sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines, under the guise of setting up a National Carrier. Additionally, Justice A. Alagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos declared that the actions and decisions violated multiple Nigerian laws. These include the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, SEC Nigeria Consolidated Rules & Regulations 2013 (amended in 2022). Furthermore, other aviation, investment, and procurement laws were also violated by the actions and decisions in the sale. Read Also: Nigeria Air: Court Halts Establishment of Proposed Carrier
The court declared the administrative actions and decisions in the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines invalid and void. It stated that Ethiopian Airlines was not competent to bid for shares in Nigeria Air or commence business in Nigeria. The court ordered the cancellation of the entire bidding process for the Nigeria Air project.
Additionally, the court directed the immediate revocation of the Air Transport License (ATL) issued to Nigeria Air Limited by the NCAA. Moreover, the court issued a perpetual injunction to prevent the former Minister of Aviation and Ethiopian Airlines from continuing operations.
AON President, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, commented on the judgment. He stated, “The bold and patriotic declarations and orders made by the court today leave no one in doubt. Furthermore, the entire bidding, approval, and unveiling processes of the purported national carrier were a sham set up to hoodwink Nigerians. Moreover, it was a plan to kill Nigerian indigenous airlines and hand over Nigeria’s aviation market to Ethiopian Airlines without investment.”
Additionally, Alhaji Sarina thanked the judiciary for standing firm against pressure and exonerating AON and other Nigerian airlines. He also praised President Bola Tinubu and the current Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, for suspending the Nigeria Air process. Consequently, Mr. Keyamo’s bold and courageous actions aligned with the truth for the country’s sake.
