By David Agba
Abuja
The federal government has dragged the Turkish Airlines before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged criminal violation of the enabling law of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and for impunity.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, filed a three-count charge against the airline and two of its principal officers, Liker Ayci and Rasak Shobowale, the airline’s Board Chairman and Commercial Manager, respectively before Federal High Court 11 in Abuja.
The prosecution came on the heels of the consistent refusal of Turkish Airlines to respond to lawful requests of CPC for a full situation report on the airline’s alleged shoddy treatment of passengers of Flight 623 from Instanbul to Abuja on 25th and 31st of December 2015 and 9th of January 2016 , which prompted the Council to approach the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for the prosecution of the airline.
According to the charge list with number FHC/ABJ/CR/147/21, the Federal Government alleged that the three accused persons between the 20th December 2015 and March 2016 “without sufficient cause refused to provide the Consumer Protection Council documents on Turkish Airlines’ policy on delayed baggage”, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 18 of the CPC Act.
The accused persons were also arraigned before the court for allegedly neglecting, without sufficient cause, to attend and testify before CPC on the number of passengers aboard Turkish Airlines Flight 623 from Instanbul to Abuja on 25th and 31st of December 2015 as well as 9th of January 2016, who were affected by its untimely delivery of baggage, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 18 of the CPC’s enabling law.