Dr Sheriff Abiodun Adesanya, a legal practitioner based in Lagos, has filed a suit against Air Peace Limited at the Federal High Court in Lagos. The action challenges the airline's policy of offering "seat-only" upgrades in its business class, which the plaintiff claims is misleading and amounts to false representation. According to the suit filed on May 6, 2024, passengers who pay for business-class upgrades receive only seating privileges without access to other standard business-class amenities such as lounge access, priority boarding, or enhanced meal services. Adesanya is seeking a declaration that the practice is unfair and a violation of consumer rights.
The plaintiff's lawyer, Olumide Martins, stated that Air Peace's advertising creates an impression that full business-class benefits accompany an upgrade, which is not the case. The suit cites Section 153 of the Consumer Protection Framework by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which mandates transparency in service delivery. Adesanya is also requesting an injunction to stop Air Peace from continuing the practice. The airline has yet to issue an official response. The matter has been adjourned to June 18, 2024, for hearing.
Air Peace is selling a version of business class that doesn't include the perks typically associated with the tier, and Dr Sheriff Abiodun Adesanya is treating it as a consumer rights issue, not just an airline policy quirk. This case could set a precedent for how Nigerian service providers disclose the fine print in premium offerings. If the court rules in favour of the plaintiff, companies across sectors may face tighter scrutiny over partial or tiered service delivery. For Nigerian consumers, it may become harder for brands to advertise upgraded experiences that don't match established expectations.
