By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
The Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus Keyamo, (SAN) has ordered a thorough investigation into the altercation between Air Peace and Sen. Adams Oshiomhole at the Lagos airport on Wednesday.
In a statement released on Friday, Keyamo disclosed that he has been in direct contact with both parties since the incident occurred.
“I have also directed the aviation agencies to exercise restraint in drawing conclusions, in line with the time-honoured legal principle of ‘hearing all sides’ before making a judgment,” he wrote via his official X handle.
The minister appealed to both parties to cease public accusations and counter-accusations.
He instructed the relevant agencies to gather evidence and report their findings to his office.
He added that the findings would help guide future conduct in similar situations.
Air Peace, in a statement issued on Wednesday, alleged that Senator Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State, arrived at Lagos airport at approximately 6:10 a.m. for a 6:30 a.m. flight to Abuja. By that time, the boarding gate had been closed, and the flight departed as scheduled.
The airline emphasized that passengers are required to arrive well ahead of departure for safety and operational reasons.
Air Peace further alleged that Senator Oshiomhole physically assaulted its staff and forcefully barricaded the entrance to Terminal 1, preventing other passengers from accessing the terminal.
The airline described the senator’s actions as “unacceptable behaviour.”
In response, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District in the Senate, denied all allegations of physical assault and claimed the incident had been exaggerated.
He accused Air Peace of unethical conduct, alleging that the airline routinely denies boarding to ticketed passengers in order to resell their tickets at inflated prices.
