Police sue Air Peace passenger over attempted hijacking of plane

The Nigeria Police has charged Mrs Nneka Ogbonna, an Air Peace passenger, to court over an alleged attempt to hijack aircraft and disruption to air service.

Ogbonna, was accused of the two-count charge following her misconduct on the airline’s flight, which departed Lagos for Warri on December 10, 2019.

The accused had caused a delay of over 80 minutes on the flight by refusing to disembark from the aircraft as ordered by the pilot following a series of extremely disturbing and disorderly conducts exhibited by her.

A Federal High Court (Lagos Division) documents accessed by some journalists, dated January 25, 2021, with the case title ‘Federal Republic of Nigeria (Complainant) vs Mrs Nneka Ogbonna(Defendant), ’ accused the suspect of seizing the doorway and staircase way of the said aircraft.

The two-count charge read: “That you Mrs Nneka Ogbonna, on the 10th December, 2019, at the Domestic Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja, Lagos, within the Judicial Division of this honourable Court, while onboard Air Peace Aircraft flight No 47210, did unlawfully, by the threat of force, or intimidation, seize the doorway and staircase-way of the said flight and exercise control of the aircraft by not allowing passengers to board the said Air Peace Aircraft, thus attempted the hijacking of Air Peace flight No 47210, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 56 (3) of Civil Aviation Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you, Mrs Nneka Ogbonna, while onboard Air Peace Aircraft, flight 47210, did disrupt service at the aerodrome of Murtala Muhammed International Airport by refusing to disembark when ordered by the Pilot to disembark from the Air Peace Aircraft, flight No 47210, causing an uproar and brawl, fighting the Cabin Crew in the bid to resist the Order to Disembark, which now disrupted the service at the aerodrome and equally delayed the flight from taking off at 11:06 am and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 59(1) (b) of Civil Aviation Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2006.”

The charge notice was signed by Joseph Nwadike, Prosecution Counsel, Nigeria Police Force.

On the other hand, the Federal High Court Judge presiding in the enforcement of fundamental human right suit filed by Mrs. Nneka Ogbonna against Air Peace Limited, the Nigerian Police and 4 others Justice (Prof) Obiozor recused himself from the ongoing proceedings due to the unprofessional conduct of the Applicant’s counsel.

The Applicant’s counsel, Mr. Ngozi Akandu had petitioned the Senate, Inspector General of Police and several organisations, while the suit was still pending before the Court.

The judge expressed his utmost displeasure at the counsel for his unprofessional act, which is channeled at painting the legal profession, particularly in negative light.

The judge further berated him because he had earlier counseled him against such unethical practice as they are inimical to any pending cause of action. The case file has been transferred to the administrative judge for reassignment to another court.(Daily Independent)