Federal High Court orders Dana Air to pay ₦5.5 million for 12‑hour flight delay

The Federal High Court in Lagos ruled that Dana Air Limited must pay ₦5.5 million (₦5 million in damages plus ₦500,000 in solicitor’s fees) to passenger Babajide Idowu. The judgment, delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro in May 2026, found the airline breached its contract of carriage when Flight 9J‑356 from Abuja to Lagos on 5 July 2018 was delayed for about 11‑12 hours, affecting roughly 70 passengers. The court held that the airline could not justify the delay under the Civil Aviation Act 2006 and the Montreal Convention, rejecting the carrier’s claim that safety checks caused the postponement. Dana Air’s legal officer Chigozie Igbonugo’s arguments were not accepted, and the airline was ordered to compensate the plaintiff for the breach and related losses.