~Ola Williams
The Federal High Court in Lagos terminated the sale of Nigeria Air Limited to Ethiopian Airlines on Monday, declaring the transaction null and void.
In his judgment, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa ordered that the proposed establishment of the national carrier, Nigeria Air, by the Federal Government should not proceed.
The ruling was made while granting the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria and five other aviation industry players.
“All the reliefs sought are granted except for the relief asking for ₦2bn as damages for the injury suffered by the Plaintiffs due to their wrongful exclusion and the unlawful bidding and selection processes for the Nigeria Air project,” stated Justice Lewis-Allagoa.
The plaintiffs in the suit include the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators, Azman Air Services Limited, Air Peace Limited, Max Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited, and Topbrass Aviation Limited.
The suit was filed against Nigeria Air Limited, Ethiopian Airlines, former Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The plaintiffs requested the court to set aside the entire bidding and selection process for the Nigeria Air project, as well as the approval and selection of Ethiopian Airlines by the former Minister and the former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
