Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has ordered the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to investigate the incident involving Air Peace and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport domestic terminal on Wednesday.
Keyamo gave the order on Friday in Abuja, saying the relevant aviation authorities are to also gather all available evidence towards resolving the issues.
The Minister in a post on his verified X handle on Friday also told all the agencies and the parties to stop further exchange of words. and exercise restraint.
Keyamo wrote: “In the wake of the incident at the Lagos Airport last Wednesday involving AIRPEACE Airline and His Excellency, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, I have been in direct contact with both parties since that morning.
“I also directed the aviation agencies to exercise restraint in jumping to conclusions in line with the time-honoured legal principle of ‘hear all sides’ before reaching judgment.
“Whilst appealing to both sides to halt the public accusations and counter-accusations, I am further directing the relevant aviation agencies to thoroughly look into the issue, collect all available evidence and revert to my office so we can deal with the issue in such a way as to guide future conducts in similar situations.”
At the Zulu terminal of the domestic airport Wednesday morning, Oshiomhole, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had an encounter with the Air Peace, accusing it of blocking entrance to the terminal after missing his flight.
In turn the airline accused Oshiomhole of blocking other passengers from boarding when he was told that his flight slated for 6:30 had departed.
But Oshiomhole had denied the allegation, saying Air Peace was extorting passengers by selling tickets to the highest bidders while preventing those who already bought ticket from flying.
