Air Peace files N1.7 billion lawsuit against NLC, TUC for operational disruptions
The management of Air Peace has filed a N1.7 billion lawsuit against the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The lawsuit is in response to the alleged disruption of Air Peace’s operations by the unions and their officers.
In the lawsuit, Air Peace is seeking N1 billion as general damages, N450 million as special damages, and N250 million as exemplary damages.
The President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, the President of TUC, Festus Osifoh, Emmanuel Ugboaja, and Nuhu Toro are also named as defendants in the suit.
Air Peace is asking the court to declare that the deliberate grounding of all its flights throughout Nigeria by the defendants, who are responsible for the majority of air-passenger and goods flights in the country, constitutes sabotage of the national economy and security.
They argue that this disruption is particularly condemnable given the current climate of fear surrounding long-distance travel within Nigeria by other modes of transportation.
The plaintiffs are also requesting an order of perpetual injunction to prevent the defendants from repeating or continuing acts of intimidation and coercion against Air Peace.
According to an affidavit attached to the suit, on May 3, 2023, Air Peace employees on duty were confronted by a noisy mob consisting of NLC and TUC members.
The mob invaded the airline’s offices, check-in counters, and work areas at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, causing disruptions, damaging equipment, and injuring some employees.
The plaintiffs claim that the mob’s actions had a ripple effect on Air Peace’s operations in other airports, including the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja and Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, where their scheduled flights could not take off or land.
Air Peace alleges that the defendants decided to shut down Imo State as a means to “punish” the Governor, Chief Hope Uzodimma. This action resulted in the cancellation of the airline’s flights to various destinations.
As a result of the disruptions, several Air Peace staff members suffered physical injuries and psychological trauma, requiring hospital visits and days off from work to recover. The airline also suffered financial losses and a damaged business reputation.
Air Peace’s lawyers sent letters to the defendants on May 12, 2023, demanding that they rectify the harm caused, but the defendants have ignored these demands and continue to threaten further disruption and harm to the airline’s operations.
The plaintiff argues that the defendants’ conduct, leading to significant losses, is malicious and deserving of exemplary damages.
