Hundreds of Arik Air passengers were left stranded at airports in Lagos and Abuja on Tuesday after the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) grounded the airline’s aircraft due to a court order.
The order was obtained by billionaire businessman Arthur Eze, who is owed $2.5 million by Arik Air’s founder, Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide.
The court order, issued on July 19, 2024, attached Arik Air’s planes to secure the debt, with a public auction slated for July 26, 2024, if the debt was not paid. Although Arik Air obtained an ex-parte order stopping further execution, NAMA has yet to be formally served and has grounded the aircraft to preserve the subject matter of the dispute.
Passengers were left frustrated and disappointed, with many missing important appointments and meetings.
One passenger, Mr. Adeniran, had planned to attend a business meeting in Abuja and was forced to return home, losing money and potentially facing surcharges from his company.
Another passenger, Aina Oluwaseun, had bought tickets for his children’s return from Abuja but was unable to get them on another flight.
Arik Air has not yet commented on the situation, leaving passengers stranded and seeking alternative arrangements.
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has stated that it is complying with the court order to avoid frustrating the legal process.
