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We have no hand in NLC President’s arrest, says Air Peace
Nigeria’s flag carrier airline, Air Peace said it had no hand in the arrest of the President of Nigeria Labour Union (NLC), Joe Ajaero by the Department of State Security Service (DSS).
Spokesman for Air Peace, Omotade Makinwa said contrary to insinuation that the security operatives acted on its petition against Ajaero and his labour union when the carrier’s entire operations were grounded last year was false especially when it had withdrawn the petition against the Labour leaders.
Makinwa disclosed that the development, which has led to negative publicity, does not reflect the current relationship between Air Peace and the NLC.
He said, “Air Peace Airline expresses deep concern over recent media reports regarding the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in connection to a petition filed by the airline in September 2023. This development, which has led to negative publicity, does not reflect the current relationship between Air Peace and the NLC.”
“It is important to clarify the events leading up to the petition. On May 3rd, 2023, the NLC disrupted Air Peace operations as part of a broader conflict with the Imo State government. Although Air Peace had no involvement in the dispute between the NLC and the Imo State government, our airline was unfortunately used as a tool to exert pressure on the Imo State government. This unlawful disruption of our services caused significant financial losses and impacted the travel plans of many Nigerians across multiple states.”
He noted that in response to the disruption, Air Peace’s legal team submitted a formal petition against the NLC to the Nigerian Police, adding that despite its repeated efforts to follow up on the petition, the Police failed to take prompt action.
“However, over a year later, the Nigerian Police have chosen to act on the original petition, which has now led to the alleged arrest of the NLC president. Before this arrest, the airline and the NLC had already reached an amicable resolution, and Air Peace had withdrawn its petition, allowing a positive working relationship to resume between the two organisations”, he added.
Recall that Air Peace had filed N1 billion in general damages, N450 million as special damages and N25O million as exemplary damages against NLC for grounding its entire operations as it engaged the Imo State Government in a long-drawn dispute.
The lawsuit was brought before the court based on the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
The defendants named in the suit include the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero; the President of TUC, Festus Osifoh; the Secretary-General of NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja; and the General Secretary of TUC, Comrade Nuhu Toro
The airline stated while filing the suit that its employees suffered physical harm and psychological trauma due to the disruption, resulting in hospital visits and absenteeism from work.
In addition to financial losses, Air Peace claimed that its business reputation was significantly damaged in the eyes of its customers, the general public, and investors.
The airline’s lawyers previously sent letters to the defendants on May 12, 2023, demanding compensation for the injuries caused, but the defendants allegedly disregarded the demands and instead threatened further disturbance to Air Peace’s operations.
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