BREAKING: ARIK AIR GROUNDED OVER $2.5 MILLION DEBT 29-07-24
By Sadiq Aminu Thenistry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has grounded the operations of Arik Air due to a long-standing debt of $2.5 million owed to Atlas Petroleum International Limited.
According to court documents, Arik Air failed to pay the judgment debt, leading to the attachment of their aircraft by the FCT High Court.
In a statement by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, the court also issued a notice of public auction, which was set to take place on July 26, 2024, if the debt was not paid.
NAMA says, Arik was served with the court order and notified the Supervising Minister, the Minister of Aviation.
According to the statement, the ministry decided to ground the aircraft in question to prevent them from being taken out of the jurisdiction or tampered with, which could frustrate the court’s proceedings.
Explaining further, Arik Air had previously appealed the court’s decision, but the appeals were dismissed by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, adding that, the Supreme Court’s ruling dismissed the airline’s application for leave to appeal, paving the way for the enforcement of the court’s order.
The Minister of Aviation, a member of the Inner Bar himself, it notes emphasized the importance of complying with the Supreme Court’s order to avoid any legal repercussions.
The parties involved are encouraged to resolve their issues as quickly as possible to allow the Arik aircraft to resume flight operations.
The airline in a statement signed by Captain Roy Ilegbodu says, the decision made by the ministry without warning or consultation, has serious repercussions for their valued passengers, staff, and the broader Nigerian economy.