The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the sale of Nigeria Air Ltd to Ethiopian Airlines is null and void.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, who presided over the case, directed that the Federal Government’s plan to establish a national carrier, Nigeria Air, should not proceed.

This decision came as the court granted most of the requests made by the plaintiffs, which include the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, and five other entities.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa affirmed that all requested reliefs were approved except for the demand for N2bn in damages. The plaintiffs sought these damages for the losses they claimed to have suffered due to their exclusion from the process and the alleged wrongful actions related to the bidding and selection processes for the Nigeria Air initiative.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, comprising the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators, Azman Air Services Limited, Air Peace Limited, Max Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited, and Topbrass Aviation Limited, took legal action against Nigeria Air Limited, Ethiopian Airlines, former Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

In their filings, the plaintiffs sought a court order to nullify the entire bidding and selection procedures for the Nigeria Air project. They also called for the cancellation of the approval and selection of Ethiopian Airlines by former Minister Hadi Sirika and former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami.