Four years after: Nigerian traveller wins case against Etihad Airways

A Nigerian, Ebosie Jideofor John had sued to court an international airline Etihad Airline and won.

In the case before Honourable Justice Hadiza R Shagari, the plaintiffs were ably represented by Pius E Sodjie and Pekun Sowole of Jurislaw Chambers while the defendant, Etihad Airline, was represented by J.M.M Majiyagbe.

It was said that Ebosie had purchased four economy class e-tickets for his family members namely Ms Sylvia U Obichie, Amaka Fingesi, Taribo Fingesi and Zoila Fingesi for a trip from Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos to Abu Dhabi International Airport on May 15, 2014, on flight EY 0674 using his credit card.

“Due to no fault of Ebosie, his credit card could not be verified by the airline at its Victoria Island, Lagos office due to network failure and he made available coloured photocopy of his credit card and his driver’s license to ensure his family members were able to make the trip but they were denied boarding by staff of the airline and told to return the following day, May 16.”

The plaintiffs eventually boarded the plane on the new date given but were yet unable to make the flight as it was cancelled due to engine failure. They later settled for buying tickets and boarded another airline to make their planned holiday on that same day of May 16, 2014.

The plaintiffs later went on to sue Etihad Airline for trauma, losses, and damages since if a passenger buys an air ticket, there is a contract binding between the customer and the airline, the case went in favour of Ebosie.

In her judgment, Justice Hadiza R Shagari ruled in favour of the plaintiffs and charged Etihad Airline saying “It is in my view to state that the defendant airline is guilty of willful misconduct. I grant the claims of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th plaintiffs for a full refund of their defendant airline tickets with interest at 16% rate.