Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered an investigation into a recent altercation involving Air Peace and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North in the National Assembly.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, the minister directed relevant aviation agencies to gather comprehensive evidence surrounding the incident and submit their findings to his office.
The directive follows a public spat between the airline and the senator after a missed flight at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport. Air Peace had accused Oshiomhole of disrupting its operations, a claim the senator has firmly denied.
Videos circulating on social media showed Oshiomhole confronting an airline official and later sitting at a gate within Zulu Hall at Terminal 1 of the airport.
Responding to the airline’s claims, the senator said he did not disrupt any operations but stood against what he described as extortion and sudden policy changes by the carrier. According to him, passengers who had already checked in online were asked to make additional payments before boarding.
While calling for calm, Oshiomhole encouraged both parties to exercise restraint in their public exchanges.
“In the wake of the incident at the Lagos Airport last Wednesday involving Air Peace and His Excellency, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, I have been in direct contact with both parties since that morning,” Keyamo said.
“Whilst appealing to both sides to halt the public accusations and counter-accusations, I am further directing the relevant aviation agencies to thoroughly look into the issue, collect all available evidence and revert to my office so we can deal with the issue in such a way as to guide future conducts in similar situations.”
Keyamo also emphasized the need for due process and fairness, urging the agencies to avoid drawing premature conclusions. He reminded stakeholders of the legal principle of hearing all sides before arriving at any judgement.
