The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, fixed March 11 for the hearing of a suit challenging the election of the new executive members of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
Justice Ahmed Mohammed fixed the date after taking the arguments of counsel to the parties who were represented in court.
Justice Mohammed, who fixed the date, ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendants who were not represented in court.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the plaintiffs; West-Link Airlines Ltd, Sky Power Express Airways Nigeria Ltd and Tropical Attic Logistics Ltd had filed a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/1336/2020, seeking an order of the court, declaring the election conducted on Sept. 16, 2020, as null and void and restraining the elected members from parading themselves as the executive and trustees of the airline body.
They also sought the order of the court directing that a fresh annual general meeting and election be conducted within one month from the date of judgment or as the court may direct, among others.
The 1st to 10th defendants in the case include the Incorporated Trustees of Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, Azman Air Services Ltd, Air Peace Ltd, Max Air Ltd, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa, Chief Allen Onyeama, Alhaji Shehu Wada, the Minister of Aviation and the Federal Ministry of Aviation respectively.
When the matter was called on Wednesday, counsel to the plaintiffs, Marcel Oru, told the court that all the defendants were served with the applications and the hearing notice.
Oru, who said he had a motion on notice dated Oct. 12, 2020 which was filed same date, said there was no counter affidavit challenging it.
However, Ogechi Abu, who was counsel to 1st and 2nd defendants, opposed Oru’s prayer to move the motion, saying the matter for the day was scheduled for mention.
She urged the court to adjourned the matter for hearing.
Counsel to 3rd and 6th defendants, Ado Maaji and lawyer representing the 5th and 8th defendants, Opeyemi Ajekigbe, aligned with Abu’s submission.
The 4th, 7th, 9th and 10th defendants were not represented in court.
Justice Mohammed, therefore, adjourned the matter until March 11 for hearing and ordered that defendants who were not in court should be served with hearing notice.
It would be recalled that controversy had trailed the election which produced Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa as the new chairman with Mr Allen Onyema as his vice chairman of AON.
The plaintiffs had faulted the process over the failure to invite them and 17 others for the AGM of the body, which they alleged was against the constitution of the AON.
(NAN)
