May 25, (THEWILL) – Solicitors to Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Nureini Jimoh (SAN), Chambers has written to the Presidency, asking President Mohammadu Buhari to stop the action of the Minister of Aviation, as it relates to the Nigeria Air project and ensure compliance with the terms of an earlier Court Order.
The letter, dated 24th May, 2023, signed by Abubakar Nuhu Ahmad Esq, copied to: The Hon. Attorney General of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice, The Inspector-General of Police, The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, and The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation stated that “We are solicitors to Airline Operators of Nigeria (“Our Client”). On the instruction of our client, we hereby write to you as below stated.
“Our client filed suit No: FHC/L/CS/2159/2022: The Reg Trustees of The Airline Operators of Nigeria & ORS VS Nig Air Ltd to question the shady deals, deliberate infraction of
the Nigerian laws and self-enrichment/corruption, mainly against the Federal Ministry of Aviation over the Nigerian Air Project.
“In the said suit, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos presided by Hon. Justice A.L Allagoa, granted three (3) separate Court Orders of Injunctions, in the terms
contained in the Order, restraining taking of any step in relation to the Nigeria Air project. A copy each of the said Court Orders are herewith enclosed as Annexures 1, 2 & 3.
“As your Excellency is well aware, the administration will hand over on Monday May 29, 2023 but the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, is planning to circumvent the Court Orders on Friday 26th May, 2023 being the last working day of this administration and possibly to cover up the various infractions of Nigerian laws, amongst others. This was disclosed in the interview granted yesterday by the
Hon. Minister to Channels Television and same has gone viral on social media.
The Minister is planning to hurriedly bring in two (2) aircrafts and pretend that Nigeria Air has commenced operation. Aside moral justification for commercial operation after the Minister’s last day in office, it is a clever way to violate the court Orders. This action has no regard to whether or not it will stain the record of this administration, whether or not it will cover for corrupt actions raised in the suit and deliberately meant to violate Court Orders for self-serving purposes.
We therefore employ your Excellency to stop this action of the Minister of Aviation, ensure compliance with the terms of the Order and avoid needless controversies on the action after your Excellency’s administration would have expired.
Notwithstanding, our client will still pursue contempt action against the Minister personally whether or not he left office, for the promotion of the rule of law, protection of integrity of the court and in line with international best practices”, the letter read.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
