The Federal High Court in Lagos has declared the sale of Nigeria Air Ltd to Ethiopian Airlines null and void. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa issued the ruling on Monday, halting the proposed establishment of the national carrier, Nigeria Air.
The court’s decision came after the plaintiffs, including the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria and five other aviation industry stakeholders, challenged the sale.
The plaintiffs sought to annul the bidding and selection process for Nigeria Air, as well as the approval granted to Ethiopian Airlines by former Aviation Minister Senator Hadi Sirika and former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted all reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, except for the claim of ₦2 billion in damages for the wrongful exclusion and the alleged misconduct in the bidding process. The plaintiffs include Azman Air Services Limited, Air Peace Limited, Max Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited, and Topbrass Aviation Limited.
