Federal High Court Orders British Airways to Pay N53 Million for Baggage Loss

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled against British Airways, ordering the airline to pay Nigerian passenger Mr. Stephen Osho a total of ₦53 million in compensation for lost luggage and unfair treatment. The judgment was delivered by Justice Ibrahim Kala on August 21.

The case stemmed from a December 2022 incident in which Mr. Osho’s baggage was lost during a flight from Paris to London. The court awarded ₦50 million in general damages and an additional ₦3 million in legal costs.

Justice Kala dismissed the airline’s defense, which attributed the loss to an old Air France baggage tag as “unconvincing” and an attempt to evade its obligations under the Montreal Convention. The court found that British Airways breached its contractual duty of care and failed to demonstrate any contributory negligence by the passenger.

Mr. Osho substantiated his claim with documented evidence, including his boarding pass and baggage tag. The ruling is considered a landmark decision in strengthening passenger rights and accountability within Nigeria’s aviation industry.

By Oshuniran Sheriff Ola