Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace has reacted to allegations leveled against the company by former Edo State governor Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole had accused the company of extortion. He alleged that the airline resold tickets after check-in had closed for the flight in question.
Air Peace denied the allegation by Oshiomhole, who accused the airline of extorting passengers and claimed he had joined other travellers in protesting the alleged misconduct.
According to the Air Peace statement: “Our attention has been drawn to the deliberate falsehood being peddled by Senator Adams Oshiomole against Air Peace.
“The senator lied blatantly when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge Senator Oshiomole to bring one piece of evidence of a passenger who was extorted.
“None of our staff engaged in any form of extortion. No tickets were sold after the check-in for that flight had closed. Every passenger on board purchased their ticket prior to the closure of check-in.
“Again, our flight was never overbooked as some of his videos alleged. The aircraft took off with over thirty (30) empty seats. It would have been in our interest to carry Oshiomhole and those others who missed their flights for lateness on this flight, instead of flying many empty seats, but we will never sacrifice our strict on-time performance for monetary gains.
“It’s absolutely false that he was offered preferential treatment and that he was fighting for others. Senator Oshiomole was not fighting for anyone. He came to the airport late and was told that he was late. He then began to foment trouble.
“He climbed onto the baggage conveyor belt, disrupting the check-in process for other flights. Additionally, he blocked the entrance gate, preventing access to the terminal. Throughout this time, he also actively incited other passengers against the airline.
“We urge FAAN to make public the CCTV footage from the moment Senator Oshiomhole entered the airport, so Nigerians can see what truly transpired. His accusation of extortion is highly defamatory, and his behaviour was aggressive, inappropriate, regrettable, and, above all, disgraceful.”
