The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has praised the Nigerian Judiciary for its bold and patriotic stance, upholding justice in its recent judgment on the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines.
In a landmark ruling delivered on August 5, 2024, Justice A. Alagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos declared that the sale of Nigeria Air’s shares and operations to Ethiopian Airlines was in violation of several regulatory statutes, including the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, SEC Nigeria Consolidated Rules & Regulations 2013, and others.
The court also declared that the entire administrative actions and decisions in the sale of Nigeria Air’s shares to Ethiopian Airlines were invalid, void, and of no effect, and that Ethiopian Airlines was incompetent to bid for shares in Nigeria Air.
The court’s orders include setting aside the entire bidding, selection process for the Nigeria Air project, revoking and canceling the Air Transport License (ATL) issued to Nigeria Air Limited, and issuing a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from perfecting, continuing, and transferring the operations of Nigeria Air.
Reacting to the judgment in a statement, AON President, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa, praised the judiciary for standing tall in the face of pressure and for exonerating AON and other Nigerian indigenous airlines for going to court to protect the interest of Nigeria.
“We thank the court for its bold and patriotic declarations and orders, which leave no doubt that the entire bidding, approval, and unveiling processes of the purported national carrier were a sham designed to hoodwink Nigerians”.
The AON President also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, represented by the current Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, for suspending the Nigeria Air process and for being bold and courageous on the issue.
“We laud President Tinubu’s government for seeing the truth and aligning with the truth for the sake of the country”.
Discover more from Radio Nigeria Lagos
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
