Air Peace has vehemently denied allegations of passenger extortion made by Nigerian Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
These accusations arose after Mr. Oshiomhole and other passengers were denied boarding for arriving late at the check-in counter.
On Wednesday, Air Peace publicly criticized Mr. Oshiomhole’s disruptive behavior at Lagos Airport, which reportedly halted flight operations for several minutes.
Read Also: Drama As Oshiomhole Shuts Down Lagos Airport Terminal After Missing His Flight [VIDEO]
The incident has since sparked significant discussion on social media, while regulatory authorities have remained silent.
In response, during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday evening, Mr. Oshiomhole expressed dissatisfaction with Air Peace staff.
He claimed that despite completing his online check-in prior to the scheduled flight departure, he was prevented from boarding, and staff allegedly used the opportunity to extort passengers by selling tickets at inflated prices.
Read Also: Air Peace Reacts Strongly As Oshiomhole Shuts Down Lagos Airport Terminal After Missing His Flight
However, in a statement released Thursday following Mr. Oshiomhole’s remarks, Air Peace labeled the lawmaker a “blatant liar” for his extortion claims.
“Our attention has been drawn to the deliberate falsehood being peddled by Senator Adams Oshiomole against Air Peace. The Senator lied blatantly when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge Senator Oshiomole to bring one piece of evidence of a passenger that was extorted,” the airline stated.
Air Peace asserted that none of its staff engaged in extortion and that no tickets were sold after check-in closure for that flight. “Everyone who flew bought their ticket prior to the flight closure,” the airline confirmed, also debunking claims of an overbooked flight, stating the aircraft departed with “over thirty (30) empty seats.”
The airline stressed that it would have been in its interest to carry Oshiomhole and other late passengers, but it prioritizes “strict on-time performance” over monetary gains.
Air Peace emphatically denied that Mr. Oshiomhole was offered preferential treatment or was acting on behalf of others.
“Senator Oshiomole was not fighting for anyone. He came to the airport late and was told that he was late. He then began to foment trouble. He jumped on the baggage conveyor belt preventing the check-in process of other flights,” the statement noted.
The airline further accused him of barricading the entrance, blocking terminal access, and deliberately inciting other passengers.
Air Peace has urged the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release CCTV footage from the moment Mr. Oshiomhole entered the airport for public viewing.
“His accusation of extortion is very defamatory. His conduct was very violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful,” the statement concluded.
More than 24 hours after the incident, regulatory authorities have yet to comment on the matter.
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