A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, nullified the sale of Nigeria Air Ltd to Ethiopian Airlines.
Presiding judge, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, ruled that Federal Government’s plan to establish a national carrier, Nigeria Air, should not proceed.
The court’s judgement came as it granted most of the requests made by the plaintiffs.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa affirmed that all requested compensation was approved except the demand for N2bn in damages.
The plaintiffs sought these damages for losses they allegedly suffered due to their exclusion from the process and alleged wrongful actions related to bidding and selection processes for Nigeria Air initiative.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators, Azman Air Services Limited, Air Peace Limited, Max Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited, and Topbrass Aviation Limited, took legal action against Nigeria Air Limited, Ethiopian Airlines, former Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
In the court document, the plaintiffs sought a court order to nullify the entire bidding and selection procedures for Nigeria Air project.
They also called for cancellation of approval and selection of Ethiopian Airlines by former Minister Hadi Sirika and former Attorney General of Federation, Abubakar Malami.
