NBA, Others Drag BA to Court for Manhandling Country

Vanguard (Lagos)

THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), its president, Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and a Nigerian citizen, Mr. Ayo Omotade, have dragged British Airways before a Lagos High Court, over the manhandling, molestation and inhuman treatment mated to Omotade, while aboard British Airways, last month for daring to question the inhumane treatment mated out to another Nigeria, being deported to Nigeria from Britain.

Omotade, who had while aboard British Airways, observed the deportation of a Nigerian, who was handcuffed, yet being further restrained and manhandled violently, had gently approached the officers tormenting the deportee and asked them not to kill him.

But was later told to get off the plane and not to travel with the airline because the cabin crew claimed he had been disruptive by questioning the noise being caused by the deportee that was removed.

Omotade, after being prevented from traveling, was later arrested, handcuffed and detained and is being prosecuted in London, over the money found on him, which he was bringing to his family in Nigeria.

Plaintiffs in the suit are further asking the court to declare that the arrest, detention, harassment, humiliation, intimidation, jettisoning, manhandling, molestation, persecution, threatening and tormenting of Omotade on or about March 27, 2008 on board the respondent's Flight BA075, from London to Lagos without warrant or lawful justification by British police and law enforcement officers, with the assistance, co-operation and support of the officers and crew of the respondent, in the circumstances of this case, are unlawful in the municipal laws of both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

As well as in international law, and violate Omotade rights guaranteed him by sections 34(1), 35(1), 39(1), 41(1) and 42(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; articles 2, 4, 5, 6, 12, 16(1), 19 and 23 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights; and articles 1 to 7, 9, 13 and 28 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The court is also asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondent, its officers or crew or any of them, whether by themselves, their agents, officers, privies or servants, or otherwise howsoever, from doing or attempting or purporting to do, or letting any authority or person do or attempt or purport to do on the respondent's flights, any of the following: arresting, detaining, harassing, humiliating, intimidating, jettisoning, manhandling, molesting, persecuting, threatening or tormenting Omotade, or in any other manner contravening the Omotade fundamental rights.

The applicants are contending that the suit is predicated on the grounds that the respondent's grievous desecration of the applicants' fundamental human rights offends not only the municipal laws of the jurisdictions to which the parties respectively belong, but also international law.

denker  # 1 | 29.04.2008 03:13

NBA, others drag BA to court for manhandling Nigerian http://www.vangu... Written by Innocent Anaba source Tuesday, 29 April 2008 THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), its president, Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and a Nigerian citizen, Mr. Ayo Omotade, have dragged British Airways before a Lagos High Court, over the manhandling, molestation and inhuman treatment mated to Omotade, while aboard British Airways, last month for daring to question the inhumane treatment mated out to another Nigeria, being deported to Nigeria from Britain. Omotade, who had while aboard British Airways, observed the deportation of a Nigerian, who was handcuffed, yet being further restrained and manhandled violently, had gently approached the officers tormenting the deportee and asked them not to kill him. But was later told to get off the plane and not to travel with the airline because the cabin crew claimed he had been disruptive by questioning the noise being caused by the deportee that was removed. Omotade, after being prevented from traveling, was later arrested, handcuffed and detained and is being prosecuted in London, over the money found on him, which he was bringing to his family in Nigeria. Plaintiffs in the suit are further asking the court to declare that the arrest, detention, harassment, humiliation, intimidation, jettisoning, manhandling, molestation, persecution, threatening and tormenting of Omotade on or about March 27, 2008 on board the respondent’s Flight BA075, from London to Lagos without warrant or lawful justification by British police and law enforcement officers, with the assistance, co-operation and support of the officers and crew of the respondent, in the circumstances of this case, are unlawful in the municipal laws of both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. As well as in international law, and violate Omotade rights guaranteed him by sections 34(1), 35(1), 39(1), 41(1) and 42(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; articles 2, 4, 5, 6, 12, 16(1), 19 and 23 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; and articles 1 to 7, 9, 13 and 28 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The court is also asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondent, its officers or crew or any of them, whether by themselves, their agents, officers, privies or servants, or otherwise howsoever, from doing or attempting or purporting to do, or letting any authority or person do or attempt or purport to do on the respondent’s flights, any of the following: arresting, detaining, harassing, humiliating, intimidating, jettisoning, manhandling, molesting, persecuting, threatening or tormenting Omotade, or in any other manner contravening the Omotade fundamental rights. The applicants are contending that the suit is predicated on the grounds that the respondent’s grievous desecration of the applicants’ fundamental human rights offends not only the municipal laws of the jurisdictions to which the parties respectively belong, but also international law.

pappilo  # 2 | 29.04.2008 03:26

Interesting! This doesnt look like a storm in a tea cup anymore. The least that will come out of this issue is that a substantial number of Nigerians will stop flying BA( I am one of them) and this will really hit them where it hurts most.

Sweet-joy  # 3 | 29.04.2008 03:57

Finally...at least this action will teach them a lesson (BA), that will forever live with them.

calist  # 4 | 29.04.2008 04:16

Well done NBA, I love the out come of events, its interesting how events unfolds. BA, its time to dance to the tune you called for; I bet you never expected it this way Viva Nigeria

Dewdrops  # 5 | 29.04.2008 06:57

=pappilo;4295011353>Interesting! This doesnt look like a storm in a tea cup anymore. The least that will come out of this issue is that a substantial number of Nigerians will stop flying BA( I am one of them) and this will really hit them where it hurts most. And start flying Nigerian airlines thank God!

Abraxas  # 6 | 29.04.2008 07:25

Hi, folks! By the way, where the f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-fish is citizen diplomat Ojo Maduekwe? Muchas gracias. Don Juan-Carlos ABRAXAS (III) Chairman & CEO, Global Coalition Against British Airways

Robot  # 7 | 29.04.2008 07:42

NBA, Others Drag BA to Court for Manhandling Country Van...Read the full article.

bennie  # 8 | 29.04.2008 08:00

Nice one, Respect at least for your money's worth is not too much to ask or is it? They (some white folks) collect your money and then treat you less than human. We shall continue to fight our battles. Solidarity forever, solidarity forever, solidarity forever, we........................ Have a great day fellow Villagers. Bennie

Chekereke  # 9 | 29.04.2008 08:03

I dont think this suit goes far enough! The Met Police should also be joined as defendants, and he should be asking for 0ne billion pounds for damages, afterall, he lost his luggage, missed his brothers wedding and suffered so much humiliation, just because he is a Nigerian. The other passengers on the flight too should file their own cases seperately here in Nigeria, let's see how many lawyers BA has!

salstep  # 10 | 29.04.2008 08:10

=bennie;4295011448>Nice one, Respect at least for your money's worth is not too much to ask or is it? They (some white folks) collect your money and then treat you less than human. We shall continue to fight our battles. Solidarity forever, solidarity forever, solidarity forever, we........................ Have a great day fellow Villagers. Bennie These are the same white folks you ran to in Ireland when u claimed persecution in Nigeria. The same white folks that gave you Asylum. The same white folks you tried to get elected to their council. I hope your postings don't come back to hunt you one day.

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