Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s leading airlines, has taken legal action against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) for their alleged role in disrupting the airline’s operations. The airline is seeking a total of N1.7 billion in damages, with N1 billion as general damages, N450 million as special damages, and N250 million as exemplary damages.
The lawsuit, filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos, includes the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, the President of TUC, Festus Osifoh, as well as Emmanuel Ugboaja and Nuhu Toro as defendants. Air Peace aims to obtain a court declaration stating that the unions’ deliberate grounding of its flights across Nigeria, which significantly impacted air travel and the transportation of goods, constitutes sabotage of the national economy and security.
Additionally, Air Peace seeks an order of perpetual injunction to prevent the defendants from engaging in further acts of intimidation and coercion. The airline, in an attached affidavit, details an incident that occurred on May 3, 2023, when a mob allegedly comprising NLC and TUC members disrupted the airline’s operations at Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos. The mob vandalized offices, check-in counters, and work areas, causing chaos and physical harm to employees. Some employees and customers sustained injuries during the disturbance.
Air Peace claims that the disruption at Lagos Airport had a ripple effect on its operations at other airports, including Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja and Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, resulting in flight cancellations. The airline asserts that the disruption was part of a larger campaign orchestrated by the defendants against the Governor of Imo State, Chief Hope Uzodimma, and that the defendants had announced their intention to shut down the state starting from May 3, 2023.
The unlawful invasion of Air Peace’s work areas and the prevention of its functions not only caused financial losses but also inflicted psychological trauma on its staff. Some employees required hospital treatment and had to take time off work to recover. Moreover, the airline’s business reputation suffered a severe blow, damaging its relationship with customers and the general public, as well as affecting investor confidence.
Air Peace’s legal representatives have sent letters to the defendants, dated May 12, 2023, demanding restitution for the unjustifiable injuries caused. However, the defendants have ignored these demands and have instead threatened further disruption and harm to the airline’s operations. The airline contends that the defendants’ conduct, leading to substantial losses, warrants the award of exemplary damages as a deterrent against such malicious actions in the future.
Air Peace has taken decisive legal action against the NLC and TUC, seeking compensation for the damages caused by the disruption of its operations. The airline aims to secure a court order to prevent future acts of intimidation and coercion. By pursuing this lawsuit, Air Peace intends to protect its business interests and uphold the integrity of the aviation industry in Nigeria.