The Nigerian Government has suspended Executive Jets Services for flying musician Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley contrary to the approval it was granted.
Naira Marley was flown from Lagos to Abuja by the airline despite COVID-19 restrictions after approval of aviation authorities.
But the Federal Government explained the flight was meant to fly in Hon. Justice Adefope Okojie from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos and not the musician.
The musician featured and entertained fun-seekers at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja over the weekend.
The musician flew from Lagos to Abuja despite the ban on interstate movements and flights.
Speaking on Monday at the daily briefing by members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika announced suspension of the operation of Executive Jets Service indefinitely for the infraction.
The minister also said the captain who operated the flight would be sanctioned for misleading the control tower.
Sirika said: “Well, we approved a flight but certainly not for any musician. The flight, from the application, was to convey Honourable Justice Adefope Okojie from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos for an official assignment.
“In this challenging time, in our wisdom, we considered the judiciary to be part of the essential service to be delivered. Having to move the Hon. Justice from Lagos to Abuja was in order.
“The approval was given for the 14th of June, 2020, however, we do give them a leeway of 24 hours sometimes due to operational reasons.
“They can operate the flight slightly earlier or slightly forward within 24 hours. In this case, the operator choose to fly on the 13th at about 6:00 pm. So, that itself is not a violation to operate earlier because we gave him the leeway.”
