The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has raised concerns and faulted the plans of the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to flag off operations of Nigeria Air despite restraining court orders on the controversial project. The AON expressed its grievances in an official letter to the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, warning against the outgoing minister’s attempt to circumvent the court orders on the last working day of his administration.
The letter further explains that Sirika chose the day to bring in two aircraft in contravention of the court order, describing it as “a clever way to violate court orders.” The AON maintained that attempting to launch Nigeria Air amid the court order would cause needless controversies after the administration had exited.
The request by AON was made known via a letter written by Abubakar Nuhu Ahmad of the Nureini Jimoh (SAN) Chambers, urging the President to stop the Minister’s actions. Ahmad’s letter explicitly states that the AON filed the suit to question the shady deals, deliberate infractions of Nigerian laws and self-enrichment/corruption mainly by Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation over the Nigeria Air project.
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had granted three separate court orders of injunctions in the terms contained in the order, “restraining taking any step, in relation to the Nigeria Air project.” The AON implored President Buhari to ensure compliance with the terms of the order and prevent needless controversies after the administration’s exit.
The aggrieved party further vowed to pursue contempt action against the minister personally, irrespective of whether or not he has left office. The letter was copied to the Attorney General of the Federation, The Inspector-General of Police, The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has revealed that two Nigeria Air aircraft are scheduled to land in the country on Friday in fulfilment of the government’s promises in the aviation sector. However, the ministry’s decision has been met with disapproval from the AON, who is also concerned about the government’s breach of an existing court order.
