Three passengers on Air Peace Flight P4 7579 from London to Lagos were arraigned at the Magistrate Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Magisterial District, for disruptive behavior during the flight on February 12, 2025. The defendants—Adewale Adedigba (52), Magnis Ashibuogwu (50), and Iwunze Benjamin (30)—allegedly caused panic among passengers and crew by shouting loudly and moving from their assigned economy class seats to the business class section without authorization.
Their actions violated Section 168(1)(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015, regarding public disturbance, as well as Section 4(1)(a)(b) of the FAAN Bye-Law 2005, which prohibits unauthorized access to restricted sections of an aircraft.
Upon landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, airline staff reported the incident, leading to their arrest by airport security. The prosecution, led by Superintendent of Police Oladipupo Taiwo, emphasized the need for strict adherence to aviation laws to prevent similar occurrences.
During the court session, the defendants’ plea was not immediately recorded, prompting the magistrate to adjourn the case to March 3, 2025, allowing both prosecution and defense to prepare their arguments. If found guilty, the defendants face penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.
This case highlights the growing need for stricter enforcement of in-flight conduct regulations in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Industry experts are calling for increased awareness and compliance to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers. The upcoming hearing will set a precedent for similar cases in the future.
