Mr Odum said the judgment marked the end of a long and frustrating journey for justice.
By Obeten Godfrey
Five years after misplacing a passenger’s luggage, Max Air Limited has paid N10 million in compensation to the passenger following a judgment by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/909/2020, the court delivered judgment in favour of Mr Usani Odum, a legal practitioner, declaring Max Air liable for negligence and failure to exercise due care in handling his belongings during a 2019 flight. The court upheld Mr Odum’s claims and awarded damages for the distress, inconvenience, and financial losses he suffered.
The judgment, which was delivered in December 2024, ordered Max Air to pay the sum of 10 million naira as damages to the passenger, but the Airline repeatedly refused to comply with the court’s order, a twist that led the judgment creditor to initiate garnishee proceedings against the airline. Subsequently, the court directed United Bank for Africa (UBA), one of Max Air’s bankers, to deduct the awarded sum and credit Mr. Odum’s account — an action that led to the eventual settlement.
Speaking after the ruling and subsequent payment of the damages, Mr Odum said the judgment marked the end of a long and frustrating journey for justice. He criticised Max Air for its conduct throughout the ordeal, describing the airline’s actions as irresponsible, discourteous, and very despicable.
“Today, after more than five needless years before the Federal High Court in Abuja with Max Air Ltd for negligently misplacing my luggage, I can confirm receipt of the N10m damages in my account following the judgment of the court.
“I want to call out Max Air Ltd for the irresponsible, discourteous, and very despicable manner they handled the issue, and even more unprofessional way they handled the case in court. Theirs is a classical example of corporate irresponsibility that should never be tolerated in any civilised society,” he said.
Odum also lamented the slow pace of Nigeria’s judicial system and expressed disappointment over the protracted duration of the legal proceedings. “No thanks to the Court for taking five years to settle such a simple matter,” he added.
Max Air is yet to release an official statement in response to the judgment.