The Federal Government has been dragged before the court in a dramatic new case that puts Nigeria’s aviation industry under the spotlight. Public interest lawyer Ayodele Ademiluyi is suing the government, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), demanding ₦500 billion in damages for what he describes as gross injustice and mismanagement.

The suit comes after two separate airport controversies that has trended. On one hand, Ms. Comfort Emmanson was swiftly prosecuted and penalized for allegedly disrupting a flight. On the other hand, Fuji legend KWAM 1 was accused of stopping a plane mid-air but walked away without any arrest or trial. To make matters worse, he was later appointed as a brand ambassador for the aviation sector.

Ademiluyi argues this double standard makes a mockery of justice and shows how deeply flawed the system has become.

In his filing, Ademiluyi is asking the court to:

• Order the government and aviation regulators to take decisive action against KWAM 1 and others involved.
• Award ₦500 billion in damages against the Federal Government, the NCAA, Ibom Air, ValueJet, and other listed respondents.
• Push for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s aviation sector, which he says has been crippled by selective justice and impunity.

Speaking on the case, Ademiluyi warned that Nigeria cannot afford to run an aviation sector where rules only apply to the powerless.

“When a woman is jailed for disrupting a flight but a powerful man can stop a plane and get rewarded for it, what message are we sending?” he asked. He stressed that the matter goes beyond individuals and touches on the integrity of governance in the country.

There was confusion and anger at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after more than 50 passengers were stopped from boarding a British Airways flight to London. Many of them had valid tickets and had already checked in, but were told at the gate that there was no space on the aircraft.

The incident has been linked to overbooking, a practice where airlines sell more tickets than available seats in anticipation of no-shows. While it’s common in the aviation industry, it often sparks outrage when paying customers are left stranded. Some passengers described the experience as humiliating, saying there was little explanation from the airline and no immediate assistance provided.

Travel experts note that passengers in such situations may be entitled to compensation and care, especially on long international routes. In Europe, for example, airlines are required to provide meals, hotel accommodation if needed, and financial payouts when passengers are denied boarding without consent. Although Nigeria operates outside the EU, campaigners argue that foreign carriers flying in and out of the country should still respect global standards.

Recently, British Airways has faced growing criticism in Nigeria.

Travellers have raised concerns about repeated delays, sudden cancellations, and what some describe as poor handling of customers. A local law firm even threatened legal action against the airline earlier this year over claims of “inhuman treatment” of Nigerian passengers. The aviation regulator in Abuja has also opened inquiries into the airline’s operations.

Airlines defend overbooking as a way of keeping fares affordable, but for passengers who end up missing flights, the impact can be financially draining and emotionally exhausting. Families miss connections, business travellers lose opportunities, and tourists are left stranded far from their destinations.

For now, the stranded Abuja passengers are demanding answers and proper compensation. The incident has once again raised bigger questions about how international airlines treat Nigerian travellers, and whether regulators need to step in more firmly to protect passenger rights.

Primate Elijah Ayodele, the head of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos, has said that two presidential hopefuls could prevent President Bola Tinubu from winning a second term in 2027. He shared this in a recent video.

According to Ayodele, these two candidates have the power to shake up the political scene and change the outcome of the election. He hinted that their actions could influence both the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition parties, making the race more unpredictable.

The 2027 election is shaping up to be a major moment in Nigeria’s democracy. Tinubu, who became president in 2023, is expected to run for a second term, but the political landscape is already crowded with coalitions and alliances. Among them, the African Democratic Congress is reportedly positioning itself as a strong challenger, with figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi forming partnerships that could affect the balance of power.

While some people take his words seriously and others are skeptical. As 2027 approaches, Nigerians will be watching closely to see if these aspirants can truly change the course of the election.