NEWS
Alleged Contract Breach: Imo LP Governorship Candidate Sues British Airways

Sen. Athan Achonu, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the recently concluded Imo governorship election, has sued the British Airways, demanding N200 million in damages over alleged contract breach.
Achonu, through his lawyer, Okwudili Anozie, filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/755/2024 before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja.
In the writ of summons dated May 29 and filed May 31, the politician sued British Airways as sole defendant, wherein he sought five claims.
Achonu demanded a refund of the fare paid for the ticket purchased by him from the defendant for the Lagos-Houston return journey amounting to the sum of £16,505.00 (sixteen thousand five hundred and five pounds sterling).
He also prayed the court to ordered the airline to pay the sum of N200 million as general damages.
He equally sought a 20 per cent interest per annum on his claim number one above, from December 21, 2022, when the defendant cancelled his booking until judgment is delivered in the suit.
Achonu further sought a 10 per cent interest per annum from the date of judgment until the judgment sum is fully liquidated.
He, therefore, sought a compensation for the cost of the suit.
In his statement of claim, Achonu, who described himself as a businessman, said he is a premium traveller with the British Airways “and is a gold member of the defendant’s executive club.”
He said he purchased the airline’s first class ticket for his trip to Houston through London at a cost of £16,505.00 (sixteen thousand, five hundred and five pounds sterling) for his return trip from Lagos-Houston.
“The ticket with booking reference number M7NORM, outlined that the defendant’s flight would take off on 15th December, 2022 from Lagos, arrive at London on the 16th December, 2022, take off from London on 21st December, 2022 and arrive Houston same day.
“For the return journey, the Houston – London trip was scheduled for 11th January, 2023 and the London — Lagos trip was fixed for 11th January, 2023.
“The plaintiff pleads and shall rely on a copy of his ticket.
“The plaintiff travelled from Lagos to London on the 15th of December, 2022 without any encumbrance.
“However, on reaching London, the plaintiff had a business engagement that necessitated extending his stay in London.
“Prior to the plaintiff’s departure date from London, he informed the defendant’s office of his intention to change his traveling date to Houston from 21/12/2022 to 22/12/2022 for which he was charged $563 (five hundred and sixty three United States dollars).
“The plaintiff informed the defendant’s staff that he has an outstanding voucher with over $4000 that should be used to settle the sum but this request was refused by the defendant whose staff insisted that the defendant’s E-Voucher was unacceptable for the service and that the plaintiff has to make a fresh payment to effect the date change.”
According to him, the defendant’s staff vehemently refused for the $563 to be deducted from the plaintiff’s E-voucher number: 125-421 4295529 issued to him by the defendant.
He said he decided to use the debit card attached to his company’s bank account since the airline refused the request that payment should be deducted from the E-voucher.
“But same was refused by the defendant’s staff who insisted the plaintiff must use a bank card bearing his own name.
“The defendant’s staff had further informed the plaintiff that his ticket would be cancelled for failure to pay the $563 date change fee with his personal bank card and therefore the unused London-Houston journey, as well as the Houston-Lagos return journey stands forfeited.
“As a result of the defendant’s action, the plaintiff had to source for funds to purchase an entirely new ticket with which he made his trip from London to Houston and back to Nigeria.
“The plaintiff, who is a first-class traveller and a gold member of the defendant’s executive club deserved a better treatment than what was meted out to him by the defendant,” Achonu said
The businessmen insisted that the British Airways’ refusal to use the funds in the E-voucher it had issued to him or apply his company’s debit card to defray cost of the date change was not in consonance with the airline’s contract with him.
According to him, the defendant’s inordinate actions have foisted undue stress and financial loss to the plaintiff.
“The plaintiff is left with no other choice but to seek redress from this honourable court,” he said.
Upon resumed hearing in the suit, Gregory Ukpong, who appeared for Achonu, told the court that though the matter was fixed for mention, he had a little mix up with regards to service.
“In the circumstance, we will be asking for a further date,” Ukpong said.
“You filed this matter on 25th May, 2024. Today is 29th October, 2024 and you are coming to talk about service,” Justice Ekwo asked him rhetorically.
The lawyer responded that they mobilised the bailiff for service but they just realised that there was a mix up.
“”You may not be lucky as you are today next time as I might have to penalise you,” the judge said, and adjourned the matter until Feb 19, 2025 for further mention.(NAN)
NEWS
Police Reunite 35 Rescued Kidnapped Victims with Families

The Police Command in Niger, says it has reunited 35 rescued kidnapped victims and survivors with their families in Niger.
This is contained in a statement by its Public Relations officer, Wasiu Abiodun, on Tuesday in Minna.
According to the statement the rescued victims consist of 16 women and 19 children.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Niger, Adamu Elleman, represented by the DCP investigation, Ibrahim Adamu, said the victims were from Kagara, Tegina and Agwara.
According to the CP, the victims had been in custody for some period for counselling and deradicalisation processes before handed over to their Council Chairman of Rafi LGA and relatives.
He appealed to members of the public to continue to cooperate with the police by providing actionable information on criminal activities.
NEWS
Turkish Embassy Pledges Partnership with Asset Media Group

By Donald Andoor, Abuja
The Turkish Embassy in Nigeria has pledged a working relationship with the Asset Media Group and Nigeria’s media in general to further boost long lasting diplomatic and trade relations existing between the two countries.
Head of Political Office, Embassy of the Republic of Turkiye, Muzaiffer Hakan Tok who was exchanging views with the management team of Asset Media Group in Abuja, yesterday recalled the robust diplomatic, trade and cultural relationship between Nigeria and Turkiye.
While stressing the cordial relationship existing between the two nations over time, he said there was need for media practitioners to be further enlightened about those things that were common and binding between the two nations.
He applauded the people of Nigeria and the government for the hospitality accorded Turkish nationals in the country.
Earlier, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, Proprietor of Asset Media Group, owners of the Daily Asset Newspaper and Asset Television, said the visit was to explore ways of media partnership with the embassy.
He appealed to the Turkish Embassy in Nigeria to initiate avenues for exchange of visits between journalists of the two countries to enable them to enlighten and educate the public about opportunities that abound in the country.
The diplomatic relations between the two nations started when Turkey opened an embassy in Lagos in 1962. The embassy was moved to Abuja in 2001 after Nigeria’s proclamation of Abuja as the new capital.
On the other hand, Nigeria has an embassy in Ankara, the capital of Turkey and the two countries are members of a group of eight developing nations, code named D-8.
The delegation of the Daily Asset Group included Donald Andoor, Chairman Editorial Board and General Manager of Asset Television, Ayami Sunny Ayami.
NEWS
NCS Cautions Nigerians against Breach of US Visa Terms

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a public advisory urging Nigerians to use U.S. entry visas responsibly, following concerns raised by the United States government over visa misuse.
The NCS emphasized that Nigerian travelers must adhere strictly to the purpose stated in their visa applications, warning that engaging in activities inconsistent with their visa classification could lead to revocation.
It reminded the public that security screening by U. S. authorities continues beyond the point of entry, and that visa holders remain under regular monitoring.The agency also reiterated the importance of complying with U.
S. immigration laws, including import/export regulations. Travelers were further reminded to declare any cash in excess of $10,000 or its equivalent at entry or exit points, and to avoid carrying any prohibited items in their luggage.NCS advised all passengers to maintain lawful conduct both within Nigeria and abroad, cautioning that fraudulent acts committed in any country could result in legal consequences under both Nigerian and U.S. laws.
Assuring continued collaboration with the U.S. Mission in Abuja, the NCS stated that efforts are ongoing to ensure Nigeria avoids inclusion in any future visa restrictions, thus safeguarding the travel rights of Nigerians with legitimate purposes for visiting the United States.