‘You lied’: Air Peace debunks Oshiomhole’s extortion allegation

Air Peace has denied the allegation of extortion preferred against the airline by the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole.

Oshiomhole had denied allegations of disrupting Air Peace operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in the Ikeja area of Lagos State.

The former governor of Edo State said he rejected preferential treatment and stood up against what he described as systemic extortion and poor customer service by Nigerian airlines.

Air Peace had earlier accused Oshiomhole of allegedly disrupting airport operations after missing a scheduled flight at the Lagos airport on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

Reacting to Oshiomhole’s allegations via a statement issued on Thursday, Air Peace said the senator “lied blatantly” for accusing the airline of extorting its passengers.

Air Peace also described the senator’s conduct at the Lagos airport as “violent and shameful”.

The airline stated: “We challenge Senator Oshiomhole to bring one evidence of a passenger that was extorted.

“None of our staff ever extorted any passenger. In fact, no ticket was sold after the closure of check-in on that flight. Everyone who flew bought their ticket prior to the flight closure.

Oshiomhole: Air Peace extorting Nigerians, I didn’t disrupt flight operations

“Again, our flight was never overbooked as some of his videos alleged. In fact, the aircraft took off with over 30 empty seats. It would have been in our interest to carry Oshiomhole and those others who missed their flights for lateness on this flight, instead of flying many empty seats, but we will never sacrifice our strict on-time performance for monetary gains.

“It’s absolutely false that he was offered preferential treatment and that he was fighting for others.”

Air Peace stated that Oshiomhole was not fighting for anyone, saying the senator came to the airport late and was told that he was late.

Air Peace added: “He then began to forment trouble. He jumped on the baggage conveyor belt, preventing the check-in process of other flights. He also barricaded the entrance gate and prevented access to the terminal. While he was doing all these, he also deliberately instigated other passengers against the Airline.

“We call on the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release the CCTV coverage starting from the time Senator Oshiomhole entered the airport, for Nigerians to see.

“His accusation of extortion is very defamatory. His conduct was very violent, unbecoming, unfortunate and above all, shameful.”

The Star