Owners of the private jet which flew in Naira Marley to Abuja amid
coronavirus pandemic has apologized to the minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika.
DAILY
POST recalls that the airline, Executive Jet Services, was on
Monday suspended by the Federal Government for airlifting Nigerian
musician, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, from Lagos to Abuja.
There had
been outrage and criticisms on social media after the video emerged of Naira
Marley hosting a concert at Jabi Lake Mall despite the interstate lockdown and
flight restriction
The
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Mr. Sam Iwuajoku, in a letter
sent to Minister of Aviation, said that the airline airlifted Naira Marley due
to a case of mistaken identity.
He said
there was no indication from the names in the manifest that Naira Marley was
part of the flight, as they thought it was Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde
Fashola.
The
Chairman added that the passenger manifest dated June 13, 2020, the
Lagos-Abuja-Lagos flight conveyed to Abuja: Adewunmi Segun, Chinonso Opara,
Fashola Babatunde, Fashola Adeshina and Adeyeye Tobi.
Others
were: Michael Opeyemi, Idowu Emmanuel, Seyi Awonuga, Wisdom Intoto, and Abayomi
Akin.
The
letter read in part: “On Saturday morning, 13th June, 2020, my staff called and
told me that they have a charter flight to Abuja and that the passengers were
already at the lounge.
“As a
rule, passenger manifest is always sent to me before any departure.
“When I
went through the manifest and I saw Fashola Babatunde, I thought it was the
Hon. Minister of Works going to Abuja so we decided to do the flight since he
is serving Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”