The Operations Manager of Air Peace, Ayodeji Adeyemi, has debunked claims by Senator Adams Oshiomhole that he was unfairly denied boarding on a recent domestic flight, insisting that the former Edo State governor arrived late and attempted to force his way onto the aircraft by climbing a conveyor belt.
Adeyemi, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, stated that contrary to Oshiomhole’s assertions, the senator did not check in online and arrived at the airport after the stipulated check-in deadline for the 6:30am flight.
“He came in late for his flight. That has been established and he did not deny it. Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure, at 5:45am, and he arrived after that,” Adeyemi said.
The Air Peace executive further challenged the senator to produce evidence of his alleged online check-in, saying the airline’s backend system never recorded such an entry.
“I want to right here challenge the senator to produce the boarding pass that was issued to him when he checked in online,” he said.
Adeyemi claimed Oshiomhole jumped onto a baggage conveyor belt in a bid to board the aircraft, a behaviour caught on surveillance video now in the airline’s possession.
He described the act as taking the law into one’s own hands, adding that staff on duty recognised the senator and still made efforts to accommodate him.
“The supervisor picked up his radio and checked if it was still possible. But by that time, the door of the aircraft was shut.
“So now, telling him the door was shut, he decided to take the laws into his own hands and jumped on the conveyor belt. We have the video. It’s not hidden. He said he never, because this is the other video Senator produced,” he said.
On claims that other passengers were similarly treated or extorted, Adeyemi accused the senator of coaching two women who were never booked for the disputed flight.
“The two ladies that Senator interviewed, he interviewed them himself because he was inciting them to talk and to complain about what it is that they are going through. These two ladies were not on the said flight at all. They were booked to travel on the 6.30 flight of the 12th of June 2025. Not on the 11th,” he stated.
He added that one of them carried an infant without a valid ticket.
“Apparently, the lady with infant was trying to see if she can come and make the flight for the earlier day. So she was not. Not at all. And the infant she’s carrying did not even have a ticket. We produced evidence of this.”
He stressed that Air Peace was only adhering to aviation protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and that all passengers, regardless of status, are subject to the same rules.
Oshiomhole had earlier alleged poor treatment and extortion at the hands of Air Peace, accusing the airline of denying passengers boarding despite valid tickets.