Victor EzejaThe Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has expressed support for Air Peace’s decision to take action against three unruly passengers who violated flight rules and forced their way into business class seats with economy tickets while on the airline’s recent flight from London to Lagos.
Mike Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection for the NCAA, stated on his X account that this would be a deterrent move against people who break the rules while travelling by plane.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAchimugu, who met with Air Peace officials said the NCAA as a regulatory agency, frowns at unruly behaviour by any passenger onboard.
He said the agency commended Air Peace for blacklisting the passengers who threatened the safety and security of other passengers, and crew onboard.
He also expressed delight that the case is now in court.
“Met with Air Peace officials to discuss a case of three unruly passengers aboard their recent London-Lagos flight. As an Authority, we continue to preach against unruly passenger behaviour.
“We are glad that the case is now in court, and we support the airline blacklisting passengers who threaten the safety and security of other passengers, the aircraft, and crew,” Achimugu stated on his X handle.
Prime Business Africa had reported that three passengers engaged in violent behaviour that endangered the safety of the flight and its passengers and crew on 12 February 2025.
Two of them identified as Adedigba Adewale and Ashibogu Magnus, who originally had seats in Economy Class, went and unlawfully occupied seats in the Business Class cabin and refused to heed several instructions from the crew to return to their assigned seats. Apart from disregarding instructions from the crew, they openly consumed a bottle of rum they had brought onboard and were joined by a third person, identified as Iwonze Benjamin, escalating their disruptive behaviour which posed a threat to the safety and security of other passengers and crew members.
The incident prompted the airline to report to law enforcement agents, who arrested them upon arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The three unruly Passengers were subsequently arraigned by police at the Lagos State Magistrate Court, Ikeja, on Friday, 15 February 2025.
According to the police, their actions were deemed a breach of public peace under Section 168(1)(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Also, their actions of unlawfully moving from their originally assigned economy class seats to the business class section without authorisation were said to have violated Section 4(1)(a)(b) of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) Bye-Law 2005.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
