The Senate has exonerated Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, of allegations of negligence and pilot drug use linked to the July 13, 2024 runway overrun at Port Harcourt International Airport.
The decision followed a one-day investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Aviation on Thursday.
Committee Chairman, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, said the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report on the incident contained inconsistencies. He explained that the document initially accused several crew members of drug use but later narrowed the claim to only two individuals.
Buhari warned that such contradictions could undermine Nigeria’s credibility with international aviation regulators if not addressed.
“You can see that, unfortunately, most of those allegations are not true. The report was disjointed and uncoordinated,” he said. “You don’t make false accusations in aviation, where the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and other global bodies are watching closely.”
The hearing, attended by Air Peace Chairman and CEO Allen Onyema and officials from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), focused on strengthening safety oversight and rebuilding public confidence in the aviation industry.
Senator Buhari commended Air Peace and other local carriers for maintaining rigorous safety standards, including internal checks and random drug testing for pilots and crew.
“Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines are our own,” he noted. “We must support them, not tarnish their reputation with unfounded claims. What matters most is that no lives were lost and the aircraft was not damaged—it was towed and later flown safely back to Lagos.”
He added that the Senate would soon release a formal report recommending measures to improve coordination and transparency in aviation investigations. The inquiry, he stressed, was not intended to target any operator but to ensure continuous safety enhancement across the sector.
Lawmakers also hinted at a forthcoming bill that would mandate federal agencies and officials to patronise Nigerian airlines for official travel, in a bid to strengthen the domestic aviation industry.
Earlier, Air Peace boss Allen Onyema defended the airline’s safety record, criticising the NSIB’s handling of the incident as unfair to a Nigerian carrier that upholds international standards.
“The aircraft had no mechanical fault or damage. It flew back to Lagos the same day,” Onyema said. “The pilot, one of our most experienced with nearly 40 years of flight experience, simply had a bad day. Unfortunately, the early report made it appear as if the aircraft was faulty or the crew was intoxicated.”
He explained that Air Peace maintains strict safety procedures, citing an instance where he grounded eight aircraft in one day after identifying a maintenance oversight.
“We could have covered it up, but we reported it to the NCAA ourselves. That’s how seriously we take safety,” Onyema stated.
He cautioned against spreading false or sensational reports that could damage Nigeria’s aviation reputation abroad.
“What we say here is being monitored globally,” he said. “We must protect the integrity of our aviation agencies and maintain public trust in Nigerian airlines. Air Peace is one of the safest airlines in the world, not just in Nigeria.”
The session, which became emotional at times, ended with a closed-door meeting to review confidential safety data and documents.