Nigerian airline, Air Peace has again knocked the lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, accusing him of displaying shameful conduct.
NATIONAL POST recalls that Oshiomhole caused a stir at the Lagos Airport on Wednesday, disrupting flight schedules.
It was claimed that the APC lawmaker arrived late, and that upon learning that boarding had closed, stationed himself at the terminal entrance, preventing other passengers and airport staff from accessing the facility.
The situation lingered for a long time, causing delays and preventing other passengers from boarding their scheduled flights.
However, Oshiomhole refuted the earlier claims by Air Peace, disclosing that Air Peace prevented him and other passengers from boarding the flight despite doing online check-in.
He also alleged that officials of the airlines were selling tickets on the spot at inflated prices to willing buyers.
Air Peace has now described his claims as blatant falsehood.
It challenged the senator to provide a single evidence to back up his claims.
“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,” the airline said in a statement.