On Monday, the Federal High Court in Lagos declared the sale of Nigeria Air Ltd to Ethiopian Airlines null and void. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa ruled against the sale and issued an injunction against the Federal Government’s plans to establish Nigeria Air as a national carrier.
The court’s decision came in response to a suit filed by the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria and five other aviation industry plaintiffs, including Azman Air Services, Air Peace, Max Air, United Nigeria Airlines, and Topbrass Aviation. The plaintiffs challenged the bidding and selection process for Nigeria Air, arguing that it was flawed and excluded them unfairly.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted the plaintiffs’ request to void the sale and halt the establishment of Nigeria Air. However, the court denied their claim for ₦2 billion in damages for wrongful exclusion and issues related to the bidding process.
The plaintiffs had sought to overturn the bidding and selection decisions made by the former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, and the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
