In a recent ruling, the Lagos High Court has directed Air Peace to address the concerns raised by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) regarding a libel suit filed against the airline.
The suit pertains to Air Peace’s aircraft operations from Lagos to Anambra State on October 12, 2022.
Registered as suit number LD/ADR/4833/23 – Air Peace v. Foundation for Investigative Journalism, the case revolves around Air Peace’s assertion that it adhered to safety protocols and practices in accordance with established directives and policies. The airline has deemed FIJ’s Interrogatory requests regarding the aircraft used and flight operations as “scandalous and irrelevant” to the libel suit.
FIJ, dissatisfied with the responses provided by Air Peace, filed an application demanding that the airline sufficiently address the questions objected to. Represented by counsel Abimbola Ojenike and Jesulayomi Oyelami of Slingstone LP, FIJ argued its case, and Justice Jose, presiding over the matter, upheld FIJ’s position. The court ruling stated that the questions requesting details about the first two aircraft designated for passenger transport are pertinent to the facts in dispute. The answers to these questions could support the defendants’ claims.
Consequently, Air Peace has been instructed by the court to respond to Questions 1, 4, and 7 from the defendant’s Interrogatories within seven days of the order’s issuance.
The suit has been adjourned until May 23, 2024, for further proceedings.
It is worth noting that FIJ previously reported an incident involving an Air Peace aircraft flying from Lagos to Anambra. Passengers on board narrowly escaped a potential disaster after the aircraft experienced engine failure three times during takeoff. The flight, scheduled to depart at 11 am, was delayed for two hours due to a technical fault with the initial aircraft designated for the Anambra trip.
According to FIJ’s sources, the engine failure prompted concerned passengers to request disembarkation. The captain provided a vague explanation, referring to a malfunctioning DAC (Directional Antenna Coupler). FIJ quoted one of its sources, stating, “This was supposed to be a substitute plane as the first couldn’t be used for technical reasons. If this lackadaisical attitude continues, I fear they may record a crash soon. If we had flown today, we likely would have crashed.”
In response to FIJ’s report, Air Peace initiated legal action against the organization, seeking N50 million for damages, N250 million for aggravated damages, and N5 million to cover the cost of legal proceedings.
