Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Mr. Michael Achimugu (left) in a meeting with staff of AIr Peace
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has thrown its weight behind Air Peace for recently blacklisting some unruly passengers.
At a meeting between officials of the NCAA led by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu and those of Air Peace in Lagos on Friday, the Authority aknowleged that unruly behaviour poses threat to the safety and security of passengers as well as of crew and aircraft .
“We met with Air Peace officials to discuss a case of three unruly passengers aboard their recent London-Lagos flight. As an Authority, we continue to preach against unruly passenger behaviour. We are glad that the case is now in court, and we support the airline blacklisting passengers who threaten the safety and security of other passengers, the aircraft, and crew.”, Achimugu said.
Security operatives had penultimate week, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, apprehended three unruly passengers aboard an Air Peace flight from London after they engaged in disruptive behavior that endangered the safety of the flight and its passengers and crew.
The incident occurred during flight when two of the individuals identified as Adedigba Adewale and Ashibogu Magnus, originally seated in Economy Class, unlawfully occupied seats in the Business Class cabin and refused multiple directives from the crew to return to their assigned seats. They bullied their way through to the business class unauthorised.
Despite efforts to de-escalate the situation, the unruly passengers remained defiant, creating a tense atmosphere onboard.
In addition to disregarding crew instructions, the individuals openly consumed a bottle of rum they had brought onboard. The third unruly passenger identified as Iwonze Benjamin joined in the consumption of the rum and very unruly behaviour. This furthermore exacerbated their unruly conduct. Their behaviour raised security and safety concerns among passengers and crew, prompting the captain to leave the cockpit to assess the situation personally before retreating to the cockpit as a precautionary measure.
Following their arrest by airport police, the passengers were formally charged and brought before the court under the jurisdiction of the Airport Command.
The three passengers—Adewale Adedigba (52), Magnis Ashibuogwu (50), and Iwunze Benjamin (30)—were arraigned for unruly conduct aboard Air Peace Flight No. P4 7579 from London to Lagos.
According to the police, the defendants disrupted the flight by shouting at the top of their voices, causing panic and public disturbance among passengers and crew. Their actions were deemed a breach of public peace under Section 168(1)(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Further allegations reveal that the trio unlawfully moved from their originally assigned economy class seats to the business class section without authorization.
This conduct, which violated Section 4(1)(a)(b) of the FAAN Bye-Law 2005, prompted swift intervention from the airline staff, who reported the incident upon landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
The prosecution, led by SP Oladipupo Taiwo, pressed for strict adherence to aviation laws to deter similar incidents in the future.
