Arik airline files N20 billion suit against FG, Ethiopian airlines over plans to acquire it

Arik Air Limited has filed a N20 billion suit against the Federal Ministry of Transport, Attorney General of the Federation and Ethiopian Airlines over recent claims in the media that negotiations have begun for the acquisition of the airline by the latter.

Recall that the airline was taken over by the  Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON)  in February this year over poor management, inability to service its debts and pay employees’ salaries.

The airline through its counsel, Babajide Koku (SAN), Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwigwe and Mrs. Ezinne Emedom, on September 6th, filed the lawsuit at the Federal High Court Lagos and is asking the court to stop the Federal government and the Ethiopian airline from further negotiations for its acquisition. Part of the 20-paragraph court paper reads

“The plaintiff avers that the agreement of the second defendant with the first defendant will be wide ranging and intricately affect every aspect of the plaintiff herein, including but not limited to the day to day running technical as well as financial management which will affect the plaintiff as being the largest domestic and regional airline in Nigeria.  The plaintiff further avers that the action taken by the first and second defendants will have a negative effect on the country’s image as the plaintiff being the largest airline will be pawned over to another country for management,” it said.