Court Nullifies Sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines

A Federal High Court in Lagos has halted the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines. The court declared the transaction null and void following a review of the case.

A Federal High Court in Lagos has halted the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines. The court declared the transaction null and void following a review of the case.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa’s ruling mandates that the Federal Government suspend its plans to establish the national carrier, Nigeria Air. The decision came in favor of the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria and five other stakeholders in the aviation sector.

While the court granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, it did not award the requested N2 billion in damages.

The plaintiffs in the case are:

• Azman Air Services Limited
• Air Peace Limited
• Max Air Limited
• United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited
• Topbrass Aviation Limited

The defendants named in the suit are:

• Nigeria Air Limited
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Senator Hadi Sirika, former Minister of Aviation
• The Federal Ministry of Aviation
• Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation

The plaintiffs had sought to nullify the entire bidding and selection process for the Nigeria Air project, including the approval and selection of Ethiopian Airlines.