Air Peace Airlines has denied reports that the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Joe Ajaero, was arrested for failing to honor a police invitation over a petition filed by the airline.
The airline clarified that although it did file a petition against the NLC in 2023 following a dispute, the petition had since been withdrawn.
Omotade Makinwa, a spokesperson for Air Peace, stated in a release to Vanguard that the differences between the airline and the NLC had been resolved and that both parties now share a cordial relationship. “Air Peace expresses deep concern over recent media reports regarding the arrest of the NLC President in connection to a petition filed by the airline in September 2023. This development does not reflect the current relationship between Air Peace and the NLC,” Makinwa noted.
The statement further explained that the original petition arose after the NLC disrupted Air Peace operations on May 3, 2023, amid a conflict with the Imo State government. Despite Air Peace not being involved in the dispute, the airline suffered significant financial losses due to its services being unlawfully disrupted. Consequently, Air Peace’s legal team filed a formal petition against the NLC to the Nigerian Police, though no prompt action was taken at the time.
More than a year later, the Nigerian Police acted on the original petition, reportedly leading to the alleged arrest of the NLC President. Air Peace clarified that the petition had already been withdrawn following an amicable resolution between both parties, restoring a positive working relationship.
