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

Published

1 year ago

December 9, 2024

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.

Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.

Published

1 day ago

February 7, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.

The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.

The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.

During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.

Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.

“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos

Published

2 days ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.

According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.

He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.

“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.

The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said

The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.

“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said

According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.

Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion

Published

2 days ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.

The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.

“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.

The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.

The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.

Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.

A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.