In fulfilment of a promise made by Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, a Nigeria Air aircraft was spotted landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Intrrnational Airport in Abuja on Friday.
This despite a Federal High Court order which in Ikoyi on April 15, 2023, issued an interim injunction restraining the federal government and other parties from executing the proposed national carrier project.
However, Sirika had on numerous occasions insisted that Nigeria Air will fly before the Buhari administration comes to an end on May 29.
On Wednesday, he had said in an interview that Nigeria Air planes were set to arrive in Nigeria on Friday. This statement was immediately met with backlash from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), who threatened to sue the minister, accusing him of contempt of court.
However, despite the threats that were issued and a letter sent by the AON to President Buhari to put an end to Sirika’s proposed launch, a Nigerian Air aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, on Friday.
Before the planes landed in Nigeria, The AON, in a statement signed by their spokesman, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, characterized Nigeria Air’s planned launch of flight operations as a blatant defiance of the law and an effort to intimidate the next administration, also calling it a contemptuous action and an invitation to anarchy.
Details later…
