The Lagos State Magistrate Court in the Ikeja Magisterial District witnessed legal proceedings on Friday, February 15, as three passengers, Adewale Adedigba (52), Magnis Ashibuogwu (50), and Iwunze Benjamin (30), were arraigned for disruptive behavior aboard Air Peace Flight No. P4 7579 from London to Lagos.
The charges stem from an incident on February 12, 2025, at approximately 8:00PM, when the defendants allegedly caused a public disturbance by shouting loudly, creating panic among fellow passengers and crew.
Their actions were deemed a violation of public order under Section 168(1)(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Further investigations revealed that the trio had unlawfully moved from their assigned economy class seats to the business class section without authorization, contravening Section 4(1)(a)(b) of the FAAN Bye-Law 2005.
The airline staff promptly intervened and reported the incident upon landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
Following their arrest by airport police, the passengers were formally charged and brought before the court under the jurisdiction of the Airport Command.
The prosecution, led by SP Oladipupo Taiwo, emphasized the need for strict adherence to aviation laws to prevent similar incidents in the future.
During the court session, the magistrate adjourned the case to March 3, 2025, allowing time for both the prosecution and defense to prepare their arguments.
If found guilty, the defendants could face penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.
This case highlights the increasing need for stringent enforcement of in-flight conduct regulations in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Industry experts have urged heightened awareness and strict compliance to safeguard the safety and comfort of all passengers.
The upcoming hearing will determine the fate of the accused and could set a precedent for handling disruptive behavior on flights in Nigeria.
