TAF Africa CEO sues Emirates for N150m over alleged rights breach

Mr. Jake Epelle, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Albino Foundation (TAF) Africa, has filed a N150 million suit against Emirates Airline over allegations of breaching his fundamental human rights.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1285/2021 and filed before Justice Musa Liman of a Federal High Court in Abuja, Epelle named the airline as the sole defendant.

In his statement of claim, the TAF Africa CEO alleged that on Dec. 20, 2020, he was scheduled for a medical trip to San Francisco, U.S. He stated that after being issued boarding passes for the trip, he, along with his colleague, Mrs. Green Mary Ibitoru, boarded flight No. EK 785 from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.).

Epelle alleged that upon arrival at Dubai International Airport on Dec. 20, 2020, he attempted to board his connecting flight to Boston but was denied access by Emirates Airline staff. He claimed the airline staff informed him that U.S. border control had sent an email requesting that he be denied boarding.

He stated that despite repeatedly asking for a reason or evidence of the denial, the airline failed to provide him with the email or any explanation for their decision. Epelle maintained that he had no travel restrictions, criminal records, or political affiliations that could justify the denial.

According to him, the airline’s actions caused public embarrassment, with people at the airport assuming the denial was crime-related. Despite efforts by friends and others to plead on his behalf, the airline refused to let him board.

Epelle further alleged that the airline’s refusal caused him to miss a dermatological surgery appointment in the U.S., resulting in severe hardship and pain. He also claimed he returned to Nigeria without his luggage, as it had been tagged with his colleague’s.

He disclosed that his ticket for the trip was seized, and one was used to escort him back to Abuja on an Emirates Airline flight on Dec. 20, 2020. He stated that he had paid N886,751.00 for a return trip from Abuja to San Francisco via Dubai and Boston, and back through New York and Dubai.

Upon returning to Abuja, Epelle visited the American Embassy and informed the Head of Mission about his ordeal. He said he was assured that no travel restrictions or instructions had been placed on him by U.S. border control or consulates as of Dec. 20, 2020.

Epelle later rebooked his surgery and travelled to Stamford Health Care in San Francisco via Delta Airline for the procedure.

He sought a declaration that Emirates Airlines’s failure to allow him to board the flight to Boston constituted a breach of the contract of carriage between them. He also requested a declaration that the airline’s actions were unjust and an infringement on his rights.

Epelle is demanding N150 million in general damages for the hardship, suffering, trauma, humiliation, and embarrassment he experienced.