Raw Deal for over 100 Nigerian BA Passengers
By Andrew Airahuobhor
Sunday, April 27, 2008
British Airways drops its more than 100 already checked in passengers in London for protesting inhuman treatment against a deportee by British police
The recent decision by British Airways, BA, officials to drop more than 100 Nigerians who were aboard on its London to Lagos bound flight BA75 would likely ignite diplomatic row between both countries. The action of the officials was said to have angered the Nigerian government, which felt the humiliation of its citizens was unacceptable.
President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has consequently directed Felix Hyat, minister of state for transportation in charge of aviation to investigate the matter. The president also directed Hyat to officially notify all foreign airlines operating in the country that the federal government would no longer tolerate the maltreatment of Nigerian passengers aboard their aircraft.
Last Thursday, April 24, Harold Demusen, director-general, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, summoned BA officials for an emergency meeting in Lagos where he reprimanded them. He also reportedly frowned at the absence of a British staff of the Airline at the meeting. In the delegation from the BA were Tunde Seymour, Tunde Petu and Willie Emretane.
The provocative action by the British Airways officials occurred March 27 when the 137 passengers boarded the flight bound for Lagos. Unknown to them, the British Immigration Authorities were deporting a male Nigerian onboard the same flight. In an attempt to restrain the already cuffed deportee, officers were said to have used methods, which caused the deportee to shout in pidgin "I go die o," meaning: I am going to die.
The noise coming from the deportee reportedly went on for about 30 minutes to the discomfort of passengers on board the flight. Ayodeji Omotade, an information technology, IT consultant from Chatham, Kent, a passenger, expressed concern for the life of the deportee. He was said to have asked the officers not to "kill him." In response, both the deportee and Omotade were taken off the plane and Omotade was subsequently arrested and detained. As a result, he could not make the trip to Nigeria. Omotade embarked on the trip in order to attend his brother's wedding ceremony that was scheduled to hold that weekend. He was in possession of the suit, shirts and accessories the brother was to use at the wedding.
The treatment meted on Omotade infuriated the other 135 passengers in the economy class section and they complained to the cabin crew. The pilot, in agreement with the police officers who were there, asked the other passengers to disembark and 136 passengers were prevented from flying. Some of them where later booked on later flight. But Omotade was banned from flying with the airline.
Many concerned people have continued to protest the action of the BA. By press time last week, more than 3000 concerned people had signed an online petition to Willie Walsh, chief executive officer of BA. They copied the Nigerian Presidency, the senate president and speaker of the House of Representatives.
In the petition, they made a five-point demand and gave BA until April 30 to comply. Failure will result in them calling for a worldwide boycott of the British Airways by Nigerians. The demand include: a full front page apology in a national Nigerian daily newspaper to all passengers onboard that flight BA75; a written apology and appropriate compensation to Omotade; the lifting of the ban imposed on Omotade. They also demanded that all criminal charges against Omotade be dropped forthwith and an undertaking from the BA that Nigerian passengers would be treated with respect within and outside Nigeria henceforth.
Newswatch contacted the BA office in Lagos last week for their comments on the unfortunate situation. In the statement the management gave to Newswatch, it said that under the UK Immigration Act 1971, there is a legal requirement for an airline to carry deportees, which must be complied with. It added that the incidence on board the BA75 service was a very serious one, which required the presence of 20 uniformed police officers to regain control of the situation. It said one passenger was given a six-month ban from travel on British Airways flights and not a ban for life. This, it said, was to reflect the severity of the disturbance. The statement reads: "We would be very disappointed if the inappropriate behaviour of a few individuals had a lasting impact on the long-standing, positive relationship we have with our customers in Nigeria and beyond."
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