A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered local bankers of leading international aviation operator, Emirates Airlines to make available the judgement sum of ₦27 million which it awarded against the Qatari-based airline in a case brought by a Nigerian family.
The court also directed the affected banks to appear before the court to show cause why they should not pay the judgment creditors the sum of N27million which is the subject matter of the suit.
This follows the resolution of a suit brought against Emirates Airlines by the Nigerian family – Mr Chinedu Oranye, his wife Mrs Taiwo Oranye and their three children, Chukwufunanya Oranye, Amira Oranye, and Nasir Oranye.
The plaintiffs had charged the airline with breach of contract for unilaterally cancelling their flights scheduled for 16th March, 2012 without informing them.
They alleged that their flight was originally scheduled to depart Muscat, the Omani capital, to Dubai before getting a connecting flight to Lagos. However, on arriving at the airport they were told they would only be able to navigate the first leg of the trip and wait for two days before they could depart for Lagos.
The plaintiffs claimed the sudden change, asides disrupting carefully-laid plans, put them in great distress. Moreover, the airline not only failed to provide suitable accommodation for them in Dubai, but also compelled them to part with $350 before the date change of their flight to Lagos could be processed and confirmed.
The Court had then ordered the aviation operator to pay the sum of N25million to the couple and their three children as general aggravated and exemplary damages for its negligence, breach of contract and obvious maltreatment of them.
The court also awarded additional special compensation of N2 million sought for legal fee which the couple pleaded and proved as sum paid to their lawyer.