Air Peace labels Oshiomhole’s allegations as ‘deliberate falsehood, very defamatory’

Abdullateef Fowewe

Air Peace has refuted recent claims made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, labeling his accusations of extortion and overbooking as “deliberate falsehood.”

In a statement released by the airline’s management on Thursday, Air Peace asserted, “The Senator falsely claimed that Air Peace is extorting its passengers. We urge Senator Oshiomhole to provide evidence of a passenger who has been extorted.”

The airline maintained that no tickets were sold after check-in closed for the relevant flight and that the aircraft left with more than 30 vacant seats.

“None of our staff ever extorted any passenger. In fact, no ticket was sold after the closure of check-in on that flight. Everyone who flew bought their ticket prior to the flight closure,” the statement established.

Air Peace said the flight was not overbooked, contrary to what Oshiomhole alleged in his videos.

“It would have been in our interest to carry Oshiomhole and those others who missed their flights for lateness on this flight, instead of flying many empty seats; but we will never sacrifice our strict on-time performance for monetary gains,” the airline cited.

Addressing further claims by the former Edo State governor, Air Peace accused him of unruly behaviour at the airport.

“He came to the airport late and was told that he was late. He then began to forment trouble. He jumped on the baggage conveyor belt preventing the check-in process of other flights. He also barricaded the entrance gate and prevented access to the terminal,” the airline stated.

Air Peace thereby called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to release CCTV footage of the incident.

“We call on FAAN to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Senator Oshiomhole entered the airport, for Nigerians to see. His accusation of extortion is very defamatory. His conduct was very violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful,” the statement noted.

Oshiomhole stated that he missed his Air Peace flight from Lagos to Abuja because of the airline’s disorganised operations, Dailyeconomy reported.

He mentioned that he had already raised the issue with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

He characterised the situation as chaotic and noted that, “I think the only reason I am called now is because I am the only easily known face there, but honestly, the situation was more or less riotous in the morning around 6:00 am when I got to the airport.”

“I got there early, but they told me boarding was over. My assistant was already there with our checked-in luggage, but they refused to issue him the boarding pass, insisting on seeing me in person. By the time I arrived, they said they had closed.”