ABUJA — Nigerian airline Air Peace has issued a strong rebuttal to claims made by former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, accusing the carrier of extorting passengers. In a statement released Thursday, the airline dismissed the allegations as “deliberate falsehood” and called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release CCTV footage to verify events.
The controversy arose after Oshiomhole alleged that Air Peace sold tickets to passengers after check-in had closed, leading to protests by stranded travellers. But Air Peace categorically denied the accusations, insisting that all tickets for the affected flight were sold before check-in closed and that the aircraft departed with over 30 empty seats.
“We challenge Senator Oshiomhole to provide a single piece of evidence showing a passenger who was extorted,” the airline said in the statement. “None of our staff engaged in any form of extortion, and the flight in question was never overbooked.”
Air Peace further accused Oshiomhole of arriving late to the airport and disrupting operations. According to the airline, the senator climbed onto the baggage conveyor belt, obstructed the check-in process for other flights, and blocked the terminal gate, all while allegedly inciting other passengers.
“It is absolutely false that he was offered preferential treatment or that he was fighting for others. His conduct was violent, defamatory, and unbecoming of a public figure,” the statement added.
The airline urged FAAN to release surveillance footage from the time Oshiomhole entered the airport, asserting that it would expose the truth behind the senator’s claims.
As of press time, Senator Oshiomhole had not responded to Air Peace’s challenge or its version of the incident.
