The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has secured a new date—October 7—for the arraignment of Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Temi Birdzell, alongside other top officials of the airline, over multiple allegations relating to breaches of Nigeria’s consumer protection laws.
The defendants are to be arraigned before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Also listed in the charge are Stella Ihediwa (Account Manager), Kennedy Chirchir (Country Manager), and Eva Ojeje (Sales Manager), who will face trial alongside the airline and its CEO.
Although the arraignment was initially scheduled to take place on Tuesday, proceedings stalled due to issues with proper service of court documents. When the matter was called, none of the five defendants appeared in court.
Counsel to the FCCPC, Chizenum Nsitem, informed the court that while the airline itself had been served, efforts to deliver summons to the individual defendants were unsuccessful. He then requested an adjournment to complete the service process.
Justice Omotosho granted the application and adjourned the matter to October 7, 2025, for the defendants to take their pleas.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/200/2025, the FCCPC is bringing three counts against Qatar Airways and its top officers.
According to the commission, the defendants allegedly failed to comply with a lawful summons issued on September 6, 2024, a violation punishable under Section 33(3) of the FCCPC Act, 2018.
In a second count, they are accused of intentionally withholding documents requested by the FCCPC during its investigation on September 18, 2024, in breach of Section 111 of the Act.
The third count alleges that the defendants engaged in conduct that contravened consumer rights on the same date—an offence under Section 124(1), punishable by Section 155 of the FCCPC Act.
The FCCPC’s legal action marks a significant step in holding foreign operators accountable under Nigerian law, amid growing scrutiny of airline practices affecting Nigerian consumers.
