“Pure Defamation” — Air Peace Co-Pilot & Cabin Crew Reject NSIB Alcohol And Drug Allegations, Challenge Test Validity, Demand Retraction Within 72hrs

Air Peace cabin crew member Victory Maduneme and co-pilot David Bernard have publicly rejected findings from a Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report that implicated them in alcohol and drug use following a runway overshoot on July 13, 2025, at Port Harcourt International Airport. Appearing on News Night, the crew described the report as defamatory, demanding a retraction and warning of legal action if their concerns are not addressed within 72 hours.

The incident involved an Air Peace flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt, during which the aircraft overshot the runway. According to the NSIB report, traces of alcohol were found in Bernard’s system and marijuana in Maduneme’s blood samples, collected five hours after the incident. While NSIB maintained that its investigation followed standard protocols, both crew members challenged the timing, methods, and validity of the tests.

Bernard, the co-pilot, recounted the flight’s approach, saying weather and visibility were clear until the aircraft reached 500 feet, when the captain disconnected the autopilot. “I advised him that we were high on the approach and should initiate a go-around, but he didn’t listen,” he said. Despite repeated warnings, the captain continued the landing past the runway midpoint. Bernard said he manually activated reverse thrust to stop the plane, raising concerns over the captain’s judgment.

He strongly rejected the alcohol allegation, stating, “I don’t drink or take drugs. A blood test 10 days later makes no sense in 2025 we have breathalyzers for immediate results.” Bernard also questioned the use of a non-aviation-recognized hospital for testing, citing the professional and financial stakes of his training.

Maduneme, expressing “utter shock” at the test results, called the report “pure defamation of character.” She explained that tests were conducted five hours after landing, but the results were delayed until July 23, 2025. Following a letter from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), she underwent a confirmatory test at the licensed Aerospace Clinic, which returned negative for marijuana.

Highlighting the inconsistencies, Maduneme noted that marijuana, if present, remains detectable for 90 days, yet her test within a month was clear. “If NSIB found marijuana, why wasn’t I grounded immediately as a risk to passengers? Why inform the airline two months later?” she asked, suggesting a possible smear campaign against Air Peace. She credited the airline chairman’s support for preventing her dismissal and blacklisting, which could have ended her global career prospects.

Both crew members emphasized that aviation regulations prohibit alcohol or drug consumption before flights, with an eight-hour pre-duty rule. Bernard noted that Air Peace conducts random checks, but NSIB’s post-incident procedures raised doubts about the report’s credibility. Maduneme called for public disclosure of their negative results, urging, “The world needs to see this NSIB must clear our names.”

The NSIB has yet to respond to the crew’s allegations but is expected to issue a statement addressing the matter.

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