Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, has refuted allegations made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who accused the carrier of extorting passengers and overbooking a flight he missed.
In a statement on Thursday, describing the former Edo State governor’s claims as a “deliberate falsehood,” Air Peace challenged Oshiomhole to produce any evidence of extortion by its staff.
The airline said all tickets for the flight in question had been sold prior to the closure of check-in and no ticket was issued at the airport afterward.
“We challenge Senator Oshiomhole to bring one evidence of a passenger that was extorted,” the statement read. “None of our staff ever extorted any passenger.”
The airline also debunked claims that the flight was overbooked, stating that the aircraft departed with more than 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.”
Air Peace further accused the senator of disruptive behaviour, stating that he arrived late at Murtala Muhammed Airport, was informed of the flight closure, and then began to foment unrest. According to the statement, Oshiomhole jumped onto the baggage conveyor belt, blocked the terminal gate, and incited other passengers against the airline.
“It’s absolutely false that he was offered preferential treatment or was fighting for others. Senator Oshiomhole was not fighting for anyone. He came late and was told that he was late,” the airline stated.
Calling for transparency, Air Peace urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release CCTV footage from the terminal showing Oshiomhole’s actions that morning.
The airline concluded by describing the senator’s extortion accusation as defamatory and his conduct as “violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful.”
Chioma Kalu
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