A Lagos Federal High Court has declared the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines null and void. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa ordered that the national carrier project be halted. The ruling supports the Airline Operators of Nigeria and other aviation industry plaintiffs' request to annul the bidding and selection process.
In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court in Lagos has declared the sale of Nigeria Air Ltd to Ethiopian Airlines null and void. The ruling, delivered by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on Monday, halts the planned establishment of Nigeria Air, a project spearheaded by the Federal Government.
The court's decision came in response to a suit filed by the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, along with five other plaintiffs from the aviation sector. These plaintiffs, including Azman Air Services Limited, Air Peace Limited, Max Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited, and Topbrass Aviation Limited, had challenged the bidding and selection process for Nigeria Air, alleging wrongful exclusion and procedural irregularities.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, except for the claim of ₦2 billion in damages. The court ordered the suspension of the Nigeria Air project, citing issues with the bidding and selection processes as well as the approval granted to Ethiopian Airlines by former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
The plaintiffs argued that the bidding process lacked transparency and fairness, leading to their exclusion from the project. The court’s decision effectively nullifies the selection of Ethiopian Airlines, preventing the sale from proceeding.
As the legal process unfolds, stakeholders and industry observers await further developments and potential appeals. The court's decision highlights the need for a transparent and fair process in the establishment of national carriers and other critical infrastructure projects.
