The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered British Airways to pay N50 million in damages to Nigerian passenger Stephen Osho for breach of contract and unfair treatment.

Delivering judgment, Justice Ibrahim Kala ruled that Osho suffered unnecessary hardship, inconvenience, and financial losses due to the airline’s negligence. The court also awarded N3 million for litigation costs, covering legal fees, summons charges, and other expenses, bringing the total compensation to N53 million.

Justice Kala noted that Osho proved the airline breached its obligations under the international contract of carriage when it failed to deliver his checked baggage on Flight BA307 from Paris to London on December 2, 2022.

In its defence, British Airways claimed Osho was responsible for his own predicament and urged the court to dismiss the claim, arguing that any awarded costs should not exceed N60. The judge rejected the airline’s submission, describing it as baseless and contrary to the evidence presented.