The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced that the CEO of Qatar Airways, Mr Temi Birdzell, along with four senior officials of the airline, will be arraigned before Nigeria’s Federal High Court on 7 October 2025 for alleged breaches of the country’s consumer protection laws.
The arraignment, originally scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed after the court was informed that most of the defendants had not been properly served with legal documents. Only the airline itself received official notification, according to FCCPC counsel, Chizenum Nsitem.
The other defendants include Stella Ihediwa, Account Manager; Kennedy Chirchir, Country Manager; and Eva Ojeje, Sales Manager. The airline and its executives are being charged in a case registered as FHC/ABJ/CR/200/2025.
According to court filings:
The defendants allegedly failed to respond to a lawful summons from the FCCPC dated 6 September 2024, in contravention of Section 33(3) of the FCCPC Act.
They are further accused of intentionally withholding documents during the investigation, in breach of Section 111.
A third charge involves violating consumer rights on 18 September 2024, contrary to Section 124(1) of the Act and punishable under Section 155.
The FCCPC says the charges stem from the airline’s alleged non-compliance during an inquiry into customer complaints and potential violations of market fairness.
Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case, agreed to adjourn proceedings until October, giving the commission time to ensure all parties are served properly and are present to enter their pleas.
The case marks a rare instance of a major international airline being brought before Nigerian courts for consumer-related offences, reflecting the FCCPC’s growing resolve to hold both domestic and foreign corporations accountable under Nigerian law.
