NCAA To Curb Fare Fixing

The Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren says the authority is studying the verdict of the judicial appeal panel set up to appraise $235 Million fine slammed on two British Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atalantic Airways over allegations of fare fixing and unethical competition.

Demuren was speaking against the background of Justice George Oguntade-led appeal panel which declared that the two British airlines did not breach Nigerian law.

According to him, “in the next few days government will unfold new plans to ensure foreign carriers do not continue to maltreat Nigerian passengers with unfair air fares and ticket pricing”.

It would be recalled that the two British airlines had raised objections to the imposition of fine by the aviation regulatory body which informed the constitution of the Judicial appeal panel that reviewed that the matter.

The verdict however, put an end to over three months of legal brickbats that pitted counsel to the NCAA, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo against the duo of Uzoma Azikiwe for British Airways and Afolabi Caxton Martins for Virgin Atlantic Aiways.

The panel, chaired by retired Justice George Oguntade, formerly of the Supreme Court of Nigeria held that the NCAA Act of 2006 could not take action on a matter that was alleged to have been committed in 2004. in a 20-page judgment, the panel set aside the fine.

Other members of the panel included, Dr. Folarin Gbadebo-Smith, an accomplished administrator, Alhaji Bala Ibn NaAllah, former member of House of Representatives who served on the aviation committee.

Others were, K.G.B. Oguakwa, former member of House of Representatives who served as Chairman, House Committee on Aviation and Calistus Uwakwe, a lawyer, who served as Secretary of the panel.