A Federal High Court in Lagos has annulled the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines, a deal brokered by former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika under the Buhari administration. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa declared the sale invalid and ordered the Federal Government to suspend any plans to establish a national carrier under Nigeria Air.
The ruling came after the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and five other aviation stakeholders challenged the sale. They argued that the bidding process was flawed, favoring Ethiopian Airlines, a state-owned entity, and excluding local airlines from fair competition. The plaintiffs claimed that key government officials facilitated an unfair process, providing Ethiopian Airlines with advantages such as tax breaks and exclusive facilities.
The plaintiffs also criticized the involvement of Tianaero Nigeria Limited, the deal's transaction advisor, alleging it lacked the necessary qualifications and experience. They contended that the process was tainted by political interests and personal gains, undermining local airlines and the Nigerian aviation industry.
In his judgment, Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted most of the plaintiffs' requested reliefs, except for a N2 billion damages claim. The court’s decision marks a significant setback for the Nigerian government’s national carrier plans and raises questions about the transparency of the bidding process.
