Falana To Sue VIP Over Airspace Closure

Following the closure of the Abuja airspace on Tuesday while he was airborne, human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, has said that he would sue the dignitary, for whom the airspace was closed, saying that he was subjected to unwarranted mental and psychological torture.

Falana left Lagos on Tuesday via Arik Air W3 271 flight at 10.20 a.m. and arrived Abuja at 11.15 a.m.,  but the aircraft could not land because the airspace was closed for about 30 minutes due to VIP movement.

“Having regards to the June 3, 2012 Dana plane crash in Lagos which killed all the 153 passengers and crew on board as well as 10 other persons in their homes I was subjected to unwarranted mental and psychological torture.  Most other passengers on board were equally traumatised as the ARIK plane was forced to hover in the air for 25 minutes.

“When the plane eventually landed I was reliably informed that there had been a restriction of movement at the airport for over one hour. In the process the fundamental right of hundreds of people to freedom of movement was violated by the airport authorities at the instance of the said Very Important Personality,” Falana said in a letter he sent to the Ministry of Aviation.

He added: “In the light of the foregoing I am compelled to request you to furnish me with the name of the said Very Important Personality to enable me to sue him for endangering the lives of over 150 passengers.”

This request, he said, is made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 which has imposed a duty on all public officers to make requested information available to members of the public.

He warned:  “TAKE NOTICE that if you fail or refuse to accede to my request within SEVEN DAYS of the receipt of this letter I shall not hesitate to apply for an order of mandamus at the Federal High Court with a view to compelling you to disclose the identity of the said Very Important Personality forthwith.”

—Simon Ateba