Airline Operators to sue Hadi Sirika for contempt over Nigeria Air, petition Buhari

The airline operators said they filed a suit against the Federal Ministry of Aviation to “question the shady deals” over the Nigeria Air Project.

By Jeffrey Agbo

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and prevent him from hurriedly floating Nigeria Air against court orders.

The registered trustees of the AON said in their letter to President Buhari dated May 24 and signed on their behalf by their lawyer, Abubakar Ahmad, that Justice A. L Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos had issued orders restraining all parties from taking action in relation to the Nigeria Air project.

Sirika had revealed on Channels TV on Thursday that Nigeria Air aircraft is scheduled to land in the country on Friday.

However, the airline operators’ letter to the president said, “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.

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“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.”