The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has accused Qatar Airways of mistreating a Nigerian passenger by detaining him for 18 hours, forcing him to sign a document written in Arabic, and making him pay a hefty fine to secure his release.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
According to NCAA Director of Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, the incident arose after a Qatar Airways crew member accused the Nigerian of “touching her buttocks while wheeling a passenger” during boarding for a flight from Lagos to the United States via Doha. The allegation was reported upon landing in Doha, resulting in the passenger’s arrest.
Achimugu said the passenger’s wife “suffered mental, physical, and psychological trauma without any form of care.” He added that the airline refused to fly the Nigerian to the US, forcing him to purchase tickets on another airline.
He further criticised Qatar Airways’ response, noting that the airline’s country manager avoided direct meetings with the NCAA, sending subordinates instead, and failed to comply with determinations from the meetings. The airline also allegedly ignored a Letter of Investigation (LOI) issued by the NCAA.
“This is not a situation that we would accept here. It is against the law for any airline not to respond to the NCAA, to provide false information, or to fail to comply with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023,” Achimugu said.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
