The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered British Airways to pay a total of N53 million in compensation to a Nigerian passenger, Mr. Stephen Osho, over breach of contract and unfair treatment.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Ibrahim Kala, the court awarded N50 million as damages for the hardship, inconvenience, and financial losses Osho suffered due to the airline’s negligence. An additional N3 million was granted to cover litigation costs, including legal fees, summons charges, and the effects of naira depreciation throughout the case.
Justice Kala held that Osho successfully proved that British Airways violated its obligations under the international contract of carriage when it failed to deliver his checked baggage on Flight BA307 from Paris to London on December 2, 2022.
The airline, in its defence, argued that Osho was to blame for his own predicament and asked the court to dismiss the case, insisting that any award should not exceed N60. The judge dismissed this argument as baseless and inconsistent with the evidence presented.
The ruling has been hailed as a significant precedent for Nigerian air passengers seeking redress against airlines for contract breaches and poor service.
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