Oluwatosin Enesi
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North and is a former Governor of Edo State, has alleged misconduct by Air Peace staff at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 in Lagos on Wednesday morning.
According to the senator, passenger, including himself, were denied boarding on a scheduled 6:30 a.m. Air Peace flight to Abuja despite completing online check-in procedures.
A video circulating on social media earlier showed Oshiomhole in a tense exchange with airport staff, prompting questions about what led to the situation.
Speaking, Oshiomhole said he arrived at the terminal at around 6:05 a.m., only to be told that the gate had closed. “I showed them evidence of my online check-in and told them I had no luggage, yet they refused me boarding,” he said. “Meanwhile, they were still letting other people through.”
He further alleged that the airline resold the seats to other passengers at significantly inflated prices, between ₦200,000 and ₦300,000, despite many earlier ticket holders being present and ready to board.
As an example, he referenced a woman who bought her ticket online for ₦146,000 and arrived before 6:00 a.m. She was reportedly denied boarding and asked to wait for the next flight, which would cost her an additional ₦109,100, raising her total cost to over ₦250,000.
“It became clear they were prioritizing on-the-spot ticket sales at higher prices, effectively sidelining those who had booked ahead,” Oshiomhole said.
Security personnel from the DSS and Air Force reportedly intervened, but the situation remained unresolved for many affected passengers. Oshiomhole claimed he eventually sent the stranded woman ₦500,000 to cover her expenses and emphasized that such actions by the airline are unacceptable.
“This is not just about me. Others were also denied boarding despite following the proper procedures. Regulatory agencies must act,” he added.
The incident has since sparked public debate about airline policies, passenger rights, and the role of oversight in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Our Reporter
