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Airline operators react to court ruling voiding Nigeria Air sale
The Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, lauded the judiciary on Tuesday for upholding justice and nullifying the purported sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines.
The operators said this in a statement signed by its president, Dr Abdulmunaf Sarina, in Lagos.
NAN reported that Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court had, on Monday, declared the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines null and void.
Sarina commended the bold and patriotic declarations and orders made by the court.
“The bold and patriotic declarations and orders made by the court leave no one in doubt that the entire bidding, approval and so-called unveiling processes of the purported national carrier were nothing other than a sham set up to hoodwink Nigerians.
“It was also a surreptitious plan to kill Nigerian indigenous airlines and hand over the commonwealth of Nigeria’s huge aviation market with over 85 bilateral air services agreements around the world to Ethiopian Airlines.
“We, therefore, thank the court for standing tall in the face of untold pressure from very high quarters.
“For exonerating AON and other well-meaning Nigerian indigenous airlines for going to court to protect the interests of Nigeria as well as proving truly to be the only hope of the common man,” he said.
Sarina also applauded President Bola Tinubu’s government through the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo SAN, for suspending the Nigeria Air process.
NAN also reported that Justice Lewis-Allagoa declared in the judgement that the action, conduct or decision in the sale of the shares and operations of Nigeria Air violated the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020.
Lewis-Allagoa also noted that the action was against the Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria Consolidated Rules & Regulations 2013 (as amended in 2022).
He said the process was against the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Act, ICAQ Convention, Civil Aviation Act, Public Procurement Act, Concession Regulatory Commission (Est.) Act 2005, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act.
He added that the action was contrary to the procurement processes for public-private partnerships in the Federal Government under the National Policy on Public-Private Partnerships.
The court also held that the entire administrative actions and decision in the sale of the shares of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines and its pseudo-consortium were invalid, void and of no effect.
It added that Ethiopian Airlines was incompetent to bid for shares in Nigeria Air and commence business accordingly.
The court further gave an order setting aside the entire bidding/selection process(es) for the Nigeria Air project as well as the approval, grant or selection of Ethiopian Airlines by the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in the process.
The judgement ordered the immediate revocation and cancellation of the Air Transport License issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to Nigeria Air Ltd.
The court had also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, officers, privies, and principals from perfecting, continuing and transferring the operations of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines.
CREDIT: DAILY POST
The Federal Government has announced the closure of the Eko Bridge and Ramps for eight weeks to carry out essential asphalt resurfacing work.
Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, shared this information in a statement on Saturday. She noted that the resurfacing project is set to begin on Friday, September 20, at 7:00 a.m., and will continue until November 20.
Due to the closure, drivers will need to follow detours and alternative routes. Kesha advised that motorists traveling to the Island from Funsho Williams Avenue should utilize the service lane at Alaka to connect to Costain and access the Eko Bridge.
She explained that some sections of the bridge will be fully closed while others will have partial access.
“This important project aims to enhance road safety and improve the driving experience for motorists,” she stated. The work will involve milling the existing asphalt and laying down new asphalt on both the bridge and ramps to address wear and tear and create a smoother, safer roadway.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has appointed Akinwale Sarafadeen Adeyemi as the new Chairman of the Governing Council for Osun State College of Education in Ila-Orangun.
The announcement was made in a statement on Friday by Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed. The statement described Adeyemi as an experienced educationist and noted that he will succeed Peter Babalola, the former chairman, who was dismissed by the state government earlier this month.
Babalola, who was also a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, faced suspension from his local ward in Irewole due to public criticism over alleged financial misconduct before his removal.
The statement highlighted, “Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved the appointment of Mr. Akinwale Sarafa Adeyemi, a seasoned educationist, as the new Chairman of the Governing Council of Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun. Mr. Adeyemi replaces Dr. Peter Babalola, who resigned following a controversial term at the college.”
Adeyemi holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Ibadan and is a retired principal of the Federal Girls College in Ipetumodu. His swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday at the EXCO lounge.
The police have reported that their operatives apprehended political thugs and seized firearms during overnight operations in Edo State, where the governorship election is taking place today, Saturday.
They also vowed to address illegal weapons possession and prevent any disruptions to the electoral process in the state.
Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, shared this information in a statement on Friday night, along with images of the recovered firearms.
He identified the arrested individuals as Edwin Obanor, 43, and Audu Tajudeen, a 41-year-old PDP member from Ugbogbo quarters in Igara Akoko, Edo.
“The Nigeria Police Force has made a significant breakthrough in combating electoral violence in Edo State with the arrests of Edwin Obanor, 43, and Audu Tajudeen, a 41-year-old PDP member,” the statement noted.
According to DAILY POST, residents of Edo State will be voting for a new governor today, September 21, 2024, who will succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki after his eight-year term ends.
Nigerian Govt shuts Eko Bridge, ramps for 8-week repairs
Gov Adeleke appoints new Governing Council Chairman for Osun College of Education
Edo Decides: Police arrest armed political thugs ahead of election
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