The Government of Chief (General) Olusegun Mathew Aremu Obasanjo, one morning, one day in the year 2004, used the FG Security to lock the gates of Nigeria Airways compound. Thereby preventing its staff from gaining entrance into the Airways compound to resume their duties at their duty posts. The next information from the Federal Government on Nigeria Airways after this sordid action, was that Nigeria Airways has been liquidated and therefore has seized operations from that day–meaning, that Nigeria Airways Staff henceforth, should perpetually go home and rest (as there is no more job for them to do as far as Nigeria Airways is concerned). Indicating wholesomely that its existence has been snuffed-off by fiat, due to the policy of the then Government in power to liquidate the National Airline. Was this right? Was this the right way to have gone about it? Question! Question!! Question!!! And till today, nobody has cared to answer these questions as it concerns Nigeria Airways purported liquidation (through impunity methodologies). In all, can it be rightly said that Nigeria Airways has been liquidated legally?
Nigeria Airways was established as a utility company through an Act of the Federal Parliament in 1959 to succeed WAAC (West African Airways Corporation). Therefore, the reasons, operational details, legal guidelines and corporate limitations of the National Airline were encapsulated in the Federal Act that established Nigeria Airways. Methinks therefore that if Nigeria Airways was to be put out-off existence, it is also an Act of the Federal Parliament (National Assembly) that should abrogate its existence; but not through the Executive Arm’s fiat (indeed showcasing impunity by the Executive Arm of Government). Also, the Judiciary was not approached to adjudicate on the legal imperatives of the liquidation of Nigeria Airways. In essence, bearing all these in mind, the question that need to be answered and answered urgently is: Legally, has Nigeria Airways been Liquidated? If not, it means that the efforts of those who did what they did, claiming they have liquidated Nigeria Airways, is in futility. It was therefore an illegal act, and that means that Nigeria Airways still exists, legally. And if so, it also means that the people who bought Nigeria Airways properties, got themselves involved in an illegal process, and may forfeit their illegal acquisition of Nigeria Airways properties.
It is therefore posited, indeed asserted that: “Let the legal process and procedures on the existence or not of Nigeria Airways be kick-started or else, it can be rightly said legally and otherwise, that Nigeria Airways is still existing.” And if it is so, it then means also that Nigeria Airways Staff and the Airline’s retirees are still entitled to their salaries and emoluments since after the purported (illegal) liquidation of the National Carrier. This is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
The Legislature (National Assembly) and the Judiciary Arms of Government, over to you! A challenge is in your hands to resolve an illegality that was done with total impunity in a democracy, as it was done in the case of the purported liquidation of Nigeria Airways!! The nation is waiting urgently to see what your actions will be to quickly resolve this huge illegality that was done, with respect to the purported and illegal liquidation of Nigeria Airways–The National Carrier in Aviation.
Written by Ejike kingsley Osuji.
ekosuji@yahoo.com
