Alleged Consumer Rights Violations: FG Sends Strong Warning To Air Peace Following FCCPC’s Probe

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4 months ago

December 9, 2024

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The Federal Government has cautioned Air Peace against obstructing an ongoing investigation into alleged breaches of consumer rights, including exploitative airfare practices. This warning was issued by Ondaje Ijagwu, spokesperson for the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), through a statement released on Sunday.

The warning follows Air Peace’s claim last Friday that the FCCPC’s allegations of exploitative pricing have unfairly harmed its reputation. The airline further accused the Commission of failing to follow due process in its investigation. Air Peace has asserted that domestic airfares should range between ₦500,000 and ₦700,000 per route, a pricing model that has drawn widespread criticism from consumers and regulatory authorities.

The FCCPC, however, dismissed Air Peace’s claims, stating that they appear to be a deliberate attempt to shift focus from the ongoing probe into the airline’s pricing practices.

The FCCPC revealed that consumer complaints against Air Peace center on the following issues:

Unjustified Fare Increases: Allegations of arbitrary price hikes for advance bookings on certain domestic routes.
Transparency Concerns: Lack of clarity in pricing structures.
Passenger Exploitation: Claims of arbitrary flight cancellations, delays without compensation, and surcharges for rescheduling tickets.
One complaint highlighted by the FCCPC challenges Air Peace’s justification for high fares. While Air Peace claims it spends ₦7 million on fuel for a one-hour flight, consumer petitions argue that a typical Boeing 737-500 used by the airline costs approximately ₦4 million to fuel. With 120 passengers paying an average fare of ₦200,000, the airline would generate ₦24 million per flight—far exceeding operational costs. At the proposed fare of ₦500,000, the revenue would soar to ₦60 million per flight.

The FCCPC noted that some competitors have reduced fares to as low as ₦80,000 for similar routes, demonstrating that affordable pricing and operational sustainability are achievable within the same market. This disparity has led to questions about Air Peace’s pricing model and whether the airline is influencing other carriers to raise fares.

Further compounding consumer frustrations, a recent incident at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport saw passengers protesting a four-hour delay on an Air Peace flight to Lagos. The chaos reportedly required security intervention to restore order.

The FCCPC emphasized its legal authority under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) of 2018 to investigate pricing practices across all sectors, including aviation. The Commission cited Sections 17, 33, 127, and 148 of the Act, which empower it to ensure that pricing is fair, competitive, and non-exploitative.

Responding to Air Peace’s assertions that only aviation regulators can oversee its operations, the FCCPC clarified that it is mandated to protect consumer rights, regardless of the sector. “Passengers are consumers of its services. Their rights are inalienable and guaranteed under the FCCPA,” the Commission stated.

The FCCPC reiterated its commitment to conducting a thorough investigation and warned that no amount of “blackmail or cowboy tactics” from Air Peace would derail its efforts.

The FCCPC reassured Nigerians that it remains resolute in its mission to promote market fairness, safeguard consumer rights, and foster transparency in the aviation industry. It called on the public to disregard unfounded media reports and trust in its ability to uphold justice.

As investigations continue, Air Peace and other stakeholders will need to cooperate with regulatory authorities to address these pressing concerns and ensure compliance with consumer protection laws.

NBC bans media from broadcasting Eedris Abdulkareem’s new song, Seyi Tell Your Papa.

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36 minutes ago

April 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has banned media houses from playing Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest song.

The song, titled Tell Your Papa, is a criticism of this current administration. In it, Eedris directed Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, to speak to his father about the worsening state of the country.

In Tell Your Papa, Abdulkareem sings, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”

“Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians.

“Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem,” he continues singing.

The National Broadcasting Commission has now released a circular to media houses preventing them from playing the song.

2027: Some people will learn lessons by 12 noon on election day – Joe Igbokwe

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4 hours ago

April 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe, has declared that those nursing presidential ambitions to succeed President Bola Tinubu in 2027 will be taught a big lesson by 12 noon on election day.

He made this statement in a post on his official Facebook page while reacting to what he claimed was “fake news” being peddled by those aspiring for the top job.

He wrote, “It looks as if FAKE NEWS is what some people plan to use to win elections in 2027. Please encourage them to continue.

“By 12 noon on Election Day, some people will learn lessons they will never, ever forget in a hurry. Make we de play.”

Igbokwe, one of the party’s chieftains who campaigned vigorously for Tinubu in 2023, has consistently stated that the president will remain in power until 2031.

According to him, all the opposition figures strategizing for the 2027 elections are only wasting their time.

Cult Clash: Osun Poly announces closure, postponement of matriculation

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5 hours ago

April 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The management of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, has announced a shutdown of the institution.

The announcement on Wednesday is coming after a violent confrontation involving suspected cultists near the institution’s gate on Tuesday.

The incident reportedly led to serious injuries and fears of a fatality during the clash between two rival cult groups.

Ekwutosblog had reported that a disturbing video shared on Facebook by a user, Lamina Omotoyosi, filmed during the violence, showed a man in a white shirt striking another individual with a hammer as two others stood nearby.

In the aftermath of the incident, officers from the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Osun State Police Command were deployed to restore calm around the institution.

Dr Tope Abiola, Dean of Students’ Affairs, confirmed that the violence occurred just outside the school premises and noted that several people were injured.

He further explained that the critically injured individual was a former student of the polytechnic.

“We were inside the campus when gunshots rang out. From what we gathered, one person was critically injured.

“He completed his National Diploma about two years ago. One of the other victims sustained injuries from stray bullets,” Abiola added.

The Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said all injured individuals were receiving treatment at a medical facility.

He did not confirm any deaths resulting from the clash.

Reacting to the unrest, the polytechnic’s management ordered all students to proceed on a one-week mid-semester break, starting Thursday, April 10, 2025.

The Registrar, Abiodun Oloyede, in a memorandum dated April 9, 2025, also announced the indefinite postponement of the matriculation ceremony earlier scheduled for Thursday.

Students were urged to use the break to pay outstanding fees and finalise their registration, with the management warning that no further appeal shall be entertained.

The internal memo stated: “Given the pleas and appeals received from some set of students who have not been able to pay their school’s fees and have not completed their registration formalities, Management has magnanimously granted a one week mid-semester break from Thursday, April 10 to Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

“This is to allow all defaulting students to pay their school fees and complete their registration procedure. Consequently, the Matriculation Ceremony for the 2024/2025 Academic Session, earlier scheduled to hold tomorrow, Thursday, April 10 2025, has been postponed.

“A new date shall be announced in due course. All students are therefore enjoined to avail themselves of this break and pay all their fees and complete their registration as no further appeal shall be entertained.”