FG lifts ban on Executive Jets, airline that flew Naira Marley to Abuja

The Federal Government of Nigeria has lifted the ban placed on a private airline, Executive Jets Services Limited, which flew musician, Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley, to Abuja to attend a concert mid-June.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, announced the suspension of the airline, saying that the flight was approved for a different purpose.

Subsequently, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Sam Iwuajoku, had said he gave the approval for the flight thinking the passenger was the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

But giving an update on the development during a Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja on Monday, Sirika said, “Today (Monday), we lifted the ban on Executive Jets Services Limited,. They have complied substantially with all of our imposed sanctions; they’ve paid part of the fines, and they brought up premium plan. So, we have lifted the ban today, so, they continue to do their business.

“These sanctions are not punitive, they are things to make our industry work better and keep all of you safe.”

Meanwhile, the company had since disinfected the aircraft while the flight crew were asked to go on self-isolation.