Federal High Court in Lagos State nullified the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines, on Monday. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa declared the sale null and void, halting the Federal Government’s plans to establish the national carrier, Nigeria Air.
The court’s judgment favored the plaintiffs, which include the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria and five other aviation industry stakeholders: Azman Air Services Limited, Air Peace Limited, Max Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited, and Topbrass Aviation Limited.
While the court granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, it did not award the requested N2 billion in damages. The defendants in the case were Nigeria Air Limited, Ethiopian Airlines, former Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika, the Federal Ministry of Aviation, and former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami.
The plaintiffs had sought an order to nullify the entire bidding and selection process for Nigeria Air, including the approval and selection of Ethiopian Airlines.
