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Aviation

Stella Oduah
Headlines

FG Arraigns Ex-Aviation Minister Stella Oduah Over Alleged N5bn Fraud

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, Abuja, over alleged involvement in a ₦5 billion corruption scheme.

Oduah was brought before the court by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences.

According to court filings, the former minister was accused of fraudulently obtaining ₦2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources, claiming the funds were meant for “technical supervision.” The alleged offence was said to have occurred in January 2014.

She was further accused in another count of dishonestly receiving an additional ₦2.4 billion through the same company under the same pretext.

The case is expected to continue as the court takes up submissions from both parties.

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Keyamo
Headlines

Keyamo Orders Withdrawal of Charges Against Comfort Emmanson, Reduces KWAM 1 Flight Ban

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed Ibom Air to withdraw criminal charges filed against Comfort Emmanson, paving the way for her release from Kirikiri Prisons within the week.

Keyamo, in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, said the police will take immediate steps to facilitate her release.

The minister also instructed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to reduce the flight ban imposed on music icon Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, to one month.

According to Keyamo, the decisions followed consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector and parties involved in the incidents. He noted that “valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides.”

In a related development, Keyamo ordered the NCAA to restore the licences of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba of ValueJet after serving a one-month suspension and completing a mandatory professional reappraisal.

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Headlines

Aviation Fuel Hike: 9 Airlines Begin Indefinite Strike Monday

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Air Peace, Ibom Air, Max Air, Arik Air, United Nigeria Airlines and four others are embarking on an indefinite strike on Monday, May 9, 2022, as the cost of the aviation fuel hits N700 per litre.

Other airlines affected are Aero Contractors, Azman Air, Overland Airways, and Dana Air.

This was disclosed by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) via a statement issued on Friday.

The statement, which was seen by Nairametrics, was signed by the President of AON, Abdulmunaf Yunusa and copied the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika and the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Capt. Musa Nuhu.

It stated, “It is with a great sense of responsibility and patriotism that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have carried on deploying and subsidising their services to our highly esteemed Nigerian flying public in the last four months despite the astronomical hike in the price of JetA1 and other operating costs.

Overtime, aviation fuel price (JetA1) has risen from N190 per litre to N700 currently. In the face of this, airlines have engaged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, NNPC and oil marketers with the view to bringing the cost of JetA1 down which has currently made the unit cost per seat for a one hour flight in Nigeria today to an average of N120,000.

The latter cannot be fully passed to passengers who are already experiencing a lot of difficulties.

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Headlines

Breaking: Abuja-Lagos Bound Dana Air Suffers Technical Fault; Fate Of Passangers Unknown

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

A Lagos bound Dana Aircraft billed to take off from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport has suffered a technical problem after being certified Ok to fly.

The fate of the passengers are unknown as they were only asked to disembark from the faulty flight with no assurances of being airlifted to their destination.

The plane with Reg. No 9J 352 schedule to depart from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at 0830hrs was said to have developed technical problems when the pilots were planning a take-off.

The pilot was said to have directed the cabin crew members to help disembark the passangers who have already boarded.

One of the passengers who pleaded anonymity wondered why the Government regulatory agencies could clear (to fly) an aircraft that could not taxi the runway.

“It’s just God again that saved us. It would have been a total disaster if the aircraft has taken off. Imagine a technical problem of this magnitude when we’re already airborne. That would have been a disaster. But what surprises me is that we have a Government agency that certifies aircraft to fly. It’s so bad, no body is taking lresponsibility again. The skies are not safe. The land is not safe. Where are we going from here as a nation”. She asked.

All efforts to reach the Corporate Communication Department of Dana as at the time of filing this report were unsuccessful.

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