A court in Abuja has directed Qatar Airways to compensate a former lawmaker with $3,000 and 4.8 million Naira due to a flight cancellation.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated Qatar Airways to reimburse former lawmaker Honorable Chukwuemeka Ujam a total of $3,000 and N4.8 million in exemplary damages and legal costs due to the cancellation of his business class flight to the United States.

Justice James Omotosho issued the ruling on Thursday in the case identified as FHC/ABS/CS/1990/2022 against the airline.

In his legal filing, previously reported by Nairametrics, Ujam, represented by his attorney Chibuike Maxwell, claimed that the airline canceled his flight without the necessary prior notification, as stipulated by industry regulations.

Maxwell argued that despite attempts to contact the airline, it allegedly failed to provide a refund to his client.

The attorney noted that passengers are entitled to receive a notice of flight cancellations from Qatar Airways at least 3 to 7 days before the scheduled departure, through methods such as text messages, phone calls, or emails.

He further contended that the plaintiff is entitled to compensation for the flight cancellation and a refund of the ticket price; however, the defendant has reportedly neglected its responsibilities, resulting in significant hardship for the plaintiff.

The former lawmaker requested the court to declare the alleged cancellation of his flight by Qatar Airways as unlawful and a violation of duty, asserting that compensation should be awarded.

He sought an order from the court requiring the defendant to pay $3,000 to the plaintiff, representing the amount paid on July 13, 2022, for a Lufthansa one-way Business Class ticket to Los Angeles, United States, following the cancellation of the defendant's flight.

An order from the Honorable Court has mandated the Defendant to pay the amount of N30,000,000 (Thirty Million Naira) as both general and exemplary damages.

It has been declared that the Defendant's failure to provide a notice of at least 3 to 7 days regarding the cancellation of the Plaintiff's flight, ticket No: 157-3982343746 and Reference No: NGO9969 177, which was booked and paid for on July 1, 2022, for a trip to Los Angeles, United States, scheduled for July 13, 2022, constitutes a breach of duty and is therefore unlawful, as it resulted in the disruption of the Plaintiff's travel plans.

Maxwell requested the sum of N1,800,000 (One Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) solely for the expenses incurred in pursuing this legal action.

The attorney emphasized that it would be unacceptable for the Plaintiff, who serves as a panelist and representative of Nigeria in a prestigious U.S. international program, to be absent. Consequently, the Plaintiff sought reimbursement for the flight ticket from the Defendant’s staff at the airport in order to secure an alternative flight, but was denied reimbursement.

In response, the airline's witness from Lagos refuted the claim, asserting that the organization had acted appropriately.

Delivering his judgment on Thursday, Justice Omotosho stated that the defense's assertion of no wrongdoing was merely “hearsay,” as the witness was not present in Abuja where the incident took place.

The judge subsequently removed the testimony of the airline’s witness from the official records, placing reliance on the evidence provided by the applicant concerning the timeline of the flight cancellation.

Justice Omotosho granted all the reliefs sought by the applicant, with the exception that the awarded damages would amount to N3 million, along with a 10% monthly interest on the total judgment amount until it is fully paid.

Qatar Airways, based in Doha, Qatar, is a state-owned airline operated by the Qatari government. The airline has established offices in Nigeria and various other locations globally. 

The Federal High Court holds the authority to adjudicate the claims made by applicants against institutions.