Skyway Aviation Handling Company, SAHCO, has sacked its staff accused of passenger extortion and harassment at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, recently.
In December 2024, one Oyewale Oyesiji, an Osun State-based automobile engineer, a first time traveller, claimed he was extorted by some workers at the Lagos airport on his way to South Africa.
Upon learning of the development, SAHCO set up an investigative panel to probe the issue after which the ground handling company established that its staff, in connivance with some airport workers, extorted passenger of the sum of N100,000, leading to the staff’s dismissal.
A source close to the ground handling company said SAHCO was also planning to meet with the passenger to update him on the development, while insisting that it would not tolerate any unprofessional behaviour or conduct from any of its staff, irrespective of position.
The source said: “I can tell you categorically that our management has sacked the erring staff. Immediately we got wind of the allegation, the management set up a panel to investigate the matter. The panel found him wanting of the allegation, and submitted its report to the management.
“The management, in accordance with the Nigeria labour laws, also implemented the report of the investigative panel by dismissing the culprit immediately. You should know that we are an internationally certified handling company with major foreign and indigenous carriers as our clients. We cannot afford to allow any staff or anyone to soil our name. We give them the best of training locally and internationally and we expect everyone to comply with the set standards.
“Definitely, SAHCO has lots of exemplary staff who have performed excellently-well in the discharge of their duties. This cannot affect our hard earned image and we will not compromise in entrenching the best industry standards at all times.”
When contacted, the organisation’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mrs Vanessa Uansohia, declined to comment on the issue, but insisted that SAHCO does not tolerate any corrupt practices among its staff.
Uansohia said: “We condemn any act of extortion, harassment, unethical behaviour or misconduct among our staff or operations. The reported incident is contrary to our values and code of conduct that governs all our staff.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for any form of corruption or misconduct and this case is being thoroughly investigated.”
