Government sues Turkish Airlines over alleged infraction of consumer law

The Federal Government has sued the Turkish Airlines for impunity and allegedly violating the enabling law of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) at a Federal High Court, Abuja.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), filed a three-count charge against the airline and two of its principal officers, Liker Ayci and Rasak Shobowale, the board chairman and commercial manager.

The prosecution came on the heels of consistent refusal of Turkish Airlines to respond to CPC’s request for full situation report on its alleged shoddy treatment of passengers of Flight 623 from Instanbul to Abuja on December 25 and 31, 2015 and January 9, 2016. The refusal prompted the Council to approach the Office of the AGF for redress.

According to the charge list with number FHC/ABJ/CR/147/21, the Federal Government alleged that the three accused persons between December 20, 2015 and March 2016 without sufficient cause refused to provide the CPC with documents on Turkish Airlines’ policy on delayed baggage, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 18 of the CPC Act.

They were also accused of allegedly neglecting, without sufficient cause, to attend and testify before CPC on the number of passengers aboard the flight from Instanbul to Abuja on December 25 and 31, 2015 as well as January 9, 2016, who were affected by its untimely delivery of baggage, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 18 of the CPC’s enabling law.