In a swift reaction to Senator Adams Oshiomole’s allegation of extortion, Air Peace Limited has said that the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator lied blatantly.
Air Peace in a statement yesterday accused Oshiomole of disrupting flight operations after he was denied boarding because he arrived the airport late for the 6.30a.m Lagos-Abuja flight.
However, Oshiomole, the former governor of Edo State, in the later hours of yesterday held a press conference in Abuja where he alleged that Air Peace is extorting Nigerians, saying it denied boarding to passengers that booked online.
Air Peace in a statement made available to the aviation press this morning countered the allegation and demanded the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Oshiomole entered the airport, for Nigerians to see for proofs.
The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to the deliberate falsehood being peddled by Senator Adams Oshiomole against Air Peace.
“The Senator lied blatantly when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge Senator Oshiomole to bring one evidence of a passenger that was extorted.
“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.
“Again, our flight was never overbooked as some of his videos alleged. In fact, the aircraft took off with over thirty (30) empty seats. 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.
“It’s absolutely false that he was offered preferential treatment and that he was fighting for others. Senator Oshiomole was not fighting for anyone. 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.
“While he was doing all these, he also deliberately instigated other passengers against the Airline.
“We call on the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Senator Oshiomole 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”.