Air Peace Refutes Oshiomhole’s Extortion Claims, Issues Strong Rebuttal

Air Peace has denied recent allegations by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, describing his claims of extortion and overbooking as “deliberate falsehood.”

In a statement signed by the airline’s management and made available on Thursday via X, Air Peace said, “The Senator lied blatantly when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge Senator Oshiomhole to bring one evidence of a passenger that was extorted.”

The airline insisted that no ticket was sold after the closure of check-in on the flight in question and that the aircraft departed with over 30 empty seats.

“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,” the statement added.

Air Peace said the flight was not overbooked, contrary to what the senator alleged in his videos.

“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,” the airline noted.

Addressing further claims by the former Edo State governor, Air Peace accused him of unruly behaviour at the airport.

“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,” they said.

Air Peace also called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to release CCTV footage of the incident.

“We call on FAAN to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Senator Oshiomhole 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 statement added.

Earlier, Oshiomhole had claimed that he missed his Air Peace flight from Lagos to Abuja due to the airline’s disorganised operations. He said he had already complained with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

Describing the incident as chaotic, he said, “I think the only reason I am called now is because I am the only easily known face there, but honestly, the situation was more or less riotous in the morning around 6:00 am when I got to the airport.”

According to the senator, the ordeal began the previous week when his Air Peace flight was delayed for five hours before it was cancelled. He said he tried to use Ibom Air afterwards but was denied boarding despite his assistant having already checked in their luggage.

“I got there early, but they told me boarding was over. My assistant was already there with our checked-in luggage, but they refused to issue him the boarding pass, insisting on seeing me in person. By the time I arrived, they said they had closed,” he said.

He said this led to unplanned hotel expenses of about ₦1.6 million for him and a visiting delegation from Ghana. He said he was later assured by an Air Peace manager that he could rebook for the 6:30 am flight the following Wednesday, and was advised to check in online, which he claimed he did by 9:00 pm on Tuesday.

However, on getting to the airport, he said he was told the flight had closed and was already full.

“As I speak to you now, I’m still wearing yesterday’s clothes because my luggage has already left with my assistant. I showed them my online check-in and boarding pass, but they said the flight was full. That means they overbooked,” he alleged.

The senator said about 20 to 30 other passengers also missed the flight and accused the airline of racketeering.

“They tried to give me special treatment, but I refused. What about the others who can’t afford that amount? It seems they are selling tickets at higher rates at the counter, disregarding those who booked earlier. That’s racketeering,” he said.