Nigerian leading airline Air Peace has strongly denied accusations made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, calling his claims false and without proof. The airline’s response came after a confrontation at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1, where the senator reportedly missed his scheduled flight to Abuja.
According to Air Peace, Senator Oshiomhole arrived late for the flight and then caused a scene, disrupting airport operations. The airline said that contrary to the senator’s claims, he was not denied boarding due to any misconduct by airline staff but simply because check-in had already closed by the time he got there.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District and is a former governor of Edo State, told reporters that Air Peace staff refused to let him and other passengers board the flight, despite completing online check-in.
He accused the airline of selling tickets at high prices at the last minute to new buyers and described the situation as “extortion.”
Air Peace, however, pushed back strongly in a statement released later that evening.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to the deliberate falsehood being peddled by Senator Adams Oshiomole against Air Peace.
“The Senator lied blatantly when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge Senator Oshiomole to bring one evidence of a passenger that was extorted.
“None of our staff ever extorted any passenger. In fact, no ticket was sold after the closure of check-in on that flight. Everyone who flew bought their ticket prior to the flight closure.
“Again, our flight was never overbooked as some of his videos alleged. In fact, the aircraft took off with over thirty (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.
“It’s absolutely false that he was offered preferential treatment and that he was fighting for others. Senator Oshiomole was not fighting for anyone. He came to the airport late and was told that he was late. He then began to forment trouble. He jumped on the baggage conveyor belt preventing the check-in process of other flights. He also barricaded the entrance gate and prevented access to the terminal. While he was doing all this, he also deliberately instigated other passengers against the Airline.
“We call on the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Senator Oshiomole entered the airport, for Nigerians to see. His accusation of extortion is very defamatory. His conduct was very violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful.”
