Slok Air vs FG: Court adjourns case to Jan 2016
…Airline insists on N35bn compensation
By Uche Usim
THE Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the case between Slok Air Nigeria Limited and Federal Ministry of Aviation, Aviation Minister and Attorney General of the Federation over the unlawful revocation of the airline’s Air Transport License (ATL) to January 14, 2016.
The case, which came up for hearing yesterday at the Federal High Court No. 7, Abuja, was presided over by Justice A. R. Mohammed.
When the matter came up, the Airline’s lawyer, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), leading Amobi Nzelu Esq. and 10 other lawyers, informed the court that the matter was fixed for hearing.
However, Counsel for the Ministry of Aviation, Chris Emi-Erabor Esq. and Counsel for the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. UC Okoli, pleaded with the court that they each had a motion for extension of time to file their defence.
The motions were not opposed by Chief Chris Uche (SAN), who, however, insisted that a clear date for hearing be taken, given the nature of the case. Consequently, the Judge adjourned the case to January 14, 2016 for hearing.
The plaintiff, Slok Air Nigeria Ltd had dragged the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the Minster of Aviation and the Attorney General of the Federation to court claiming the sum of N35 billion as damages for unlawful and illegal revocation of the operating licence of the airline by the Federal Government.
In its statement of claim, the airline contended that the revocation was done in gross violation of due process, without justification, without notice and in utmost bad faith. It is also claiming for a declaration that the operating licence granted to it is still valid and subsisting.
Recall that the airline had acquired 13 Boeing 737-700 series aircraft for scheduled and non-scheduled flights in Nigeria, set up offices across the country and started operations in major airports, employing several pilots, air crew, ground staff, among others, before the said revocation.
The former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration had announced the revocation of Slok Air operating licence on March 12, 2004, just a year after the airline was licenced, without any tangible reason for its action.
The grounding of the promising airline was described as political, as the owner, ex-governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, was very critical of the Obasanjo-led government and the then leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Slok Air, which promised to feel the vacuum created by the non-existence of a national carrier for the country, was seen by industry watchers as a welcome development meant to engender competitiveness in the air transport business.
Aviation stakeholders described the revocation of the license as an act of “wickedness”, even as they urged the government of the day to reinstate the airline.
However, over 11 years after the revocation of its operating licence, the management of Slok Air Nigeria Limited reopened the matter by dragging the Federal Government to court and claiming N35 billion as damages.
Aside declaring the revocation as unlawful and illegal, Slok Air also sought the order of the court directing the defendants to restore its operational licence, which it also wanted the court to declare as “valid and subsisting.”
The summons read in part: “A declaration that the revocation of operational licence granted the plaintiff (Slok Air) by the 1st and 2nd defendants on the 22nd day of April, 2003 through electronic and print media is unlawful, illegal and a gross violation of due process required in matters of this nature.
A declaration that the 1st and 2nd defendants have no right, save with strict compliance with the laid down rules, to revoke the operational licence granted to the plaintiff.
[Sunnews]
By Uche Usim
THE Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the case between Slok Air Nigeria Limited and Federal Ministry of Aviation, Aviation Minister and Attorney General of the Federation over the unlawful revocation of the airline’s Air Transport License (ATL) to January 14, 2016.
The case, which came up for hearing yesterday at the Federal High Court No. 7, Abuja, was presided over by Justice A. R. Mohammed.
When the matter came up, the Airline’s lawyer, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), leading Amobi Nzelu Esq. and 10 other lawyers, informed the court that the matter was fixed for hearing.
However, Counsel for the Ministry of Aviation, Chris Emi-Erabor Esq. and Counsel for the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. UC Okoli, pleaded with the court that they each had a motion for extension of time to file their defence.
The motions were not opposed by Chief Chris Uche (SAN), who, however, insisted that a clear date for hearing be taken, given the nature of the case. Consequently, the Judge adjourned the case to January 14, 2016 for hearing.
The plaintiff, Slok Air Nigeria Ltd had dragged the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the Minster of Aviation and the Attorney General of the Federation to court claiming the sum of N35 billion as damages for unlawful and illegal revocation of the operating licence of the airline by the Federal Government.
In its statement of claim, the airline contended that the revocation was done in gross violation of due process, without justification, without notice and in utmost bad faith. It is also claiming for a declaration that the operating licence granted to it is still valid and subsisting.
Recall that the airline had acquired 13 Boeing 737-700 series aircraft for scheduled and non-scheduled flights in Nigeria, set up offices across the country and started operations in major airports, employing several pilots, air crew, ground staff, among others, before the said revocation.
The former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration had announced the revocation of Slok Air operating licence on March 12, 2004, just a year after the airline was licenced, without any tangible reason for its action.
The grounding of the promising airline was described as political, as the owner, ex-governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, was very critical of the Obasanjo-led government and the then leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Slok Air, which promised to feel the vacuum created by the non-existence of a national carrier for the country, was seen by industry watchers as a welcome development meant to engender competitiveness in the air transport business.
Aviation stakeholders described the revocation of the license as an act of “wickedness”, even as they urged the government of the day to reinstate the airline.
However, over 11 years after the revocation of its operating licence, the management of Slok Air Nigeria Limited reopened the matter by dragging the Federal Government to court and claiming N35 billion as damages.
Aside declaring the revocation as unlawful and illegal, Slok Air also sought the order of the court directing the defendants to restore its operational licence, which it also wanted the court to declare as “valid and subsisting.”
The summons read in part: “A declaration that the revocation of operational licence granted the plaintiff (Slok Air) by the 1st and 2nd defendants on the 22nd day of April, 2003 through electronic and print media is unlawful, illegal and a gross violation of due process required in matters of this nature.
A declaration that the 1st and 2nd defendants have no right, save with strict compliance with the laid down rules, to revoke the operational licence granted to the plaintiff.
[Sunnews]
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