YOU CAN’T STROLL IN AT 6:12AM FOR 6:30AM FLIGHT, NCAA CONDEMNS OSHIOMHOLE’S CONDUCT AT LAGOS AIRPORT
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By: Sefiu Ajape
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has responded to allegations made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole following an incident at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) on Wednesday morning, where he was denied boarding on a flight to Abuja after arriving late.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, addressed the matter in a post on his official X handle on Thursday.
He emphasized that passengers who arrive after check-in has closed—or fail to appear at all—are officially classified as “no-show.”
Oshiomhole had earlier criticized Air Peace for denying him access to the flight, despite claiming to have completed online check-in procedures ahead of time.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday evening, the former Edo State governor condemned what he described as unprofessional behavior by airline staff.
He explained that he and two Ghanaian colleagues had checked in online for a 6:30 a.m. flight, but were turned away upon reaching the terminal shortly after 6:00 a.m.
According to him, airline staff informed him that the boarding gate had already been closed. He noted that he had no luggage and had presented proof of check-in, yet was not allowed to board.
Oshiomhole further claimed that while he and other valid ticket holders were denied access, some passengers were still being admitted on board.
He also alleged that airline staff exploited the situation by reselling tickets at inflated prices to stranded travelers.
Reacting to the issue, Achimugu wrote, “I need to make this clear; all over the world, overbooking is allowed. Airlines are allowed to overbook in anticipation that some passengers will not turn up for the flight. This is a global aviation practice.
“Passengers who turn up AFTER check-in has closed or do not turn up at all are considered no-show. They may be considered for the next flight, subject to availability of seats and meeting the airline’s conditions like payment of no-show fees if applicable, etc.
“Have you ever been on an international flight where the airline asks for volunteers to give up their seats in return for hotel accommodation and some money, and then fly them the next day? Why do you think those offers are made? Overbooking.”
In another post, he wrote: “When you purchase an air ticket, it is a contract between you and the airline. You should know that terms and conditions apply and try to browse through if you can’t read up everything.
“It is a service that you owe yourself.
“Aviation is not molue. It is not run on vibes. An alarming number of cases are issues where simply reading up would have helped to avoid certain unsavoury situations.
“If your flight departs at 0630hrs and you stroll into the airport at 0612, you are late,” he further stated.
Recall that on Wednesday, Hotjist reported that Oshiomhole—former Edo State governor and current senator for Edo North—forced the closure of the Zulu Terminal at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos after arriving late for his flight to Abuja.
Oshiomhole was scheduled to travel on an early morning Air Peace flight. His departure time for the flight to Abuja was 6:30 a.m.
Sources at the airport said the senator blocked the entrance to the terminal entirely, refusing to budge despite multiple pleas from the terminal manager.
Confirming the development, Air Peace, in a strongly worded statement, condemned the unruly behaviour of Oshiomhole.
“Upon being informed of the missed flight, the politician resorted to violence, physically assaulting our staff and forcefully barricading the terminal’s entrance,” the airline said on Wednesday.
“He went as far as sealing the entry gate and manning the access point, effectively obstructing other passengers from gaining entry into the terminal.”
“This unacceptable behaviour caused significant disruption to ongoing operations and affected numerous travellers scheduled for various flights,” the statement added.
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