The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has indicted an Air Peace pilot and a Co-pilot for taking hard drugs and alcohol.

The accident investigators tested the crew positive for the substances after the aircraft they flew was involved in a runway incursion at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.

This was contained in a preliminary report signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, made available to The PUNCH on Friday.

It will be recalled that an Air Peace aircraft, on a Sunday morning of 13th June, had a runway excursion after landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

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The aircraft veered off the runway without any damage.

An aircraft incursion is the wrongful or unauthorised positioning of an airplane at the runway.

Incursions are most often caused by miscommunication, mistakes, faulty gear, and potholes on runways, among others. But with the discovery, pilots’ intoxication has been added to the list of causes.

According to the NSIB report, the pilots who were flying an Air Peace Boeing 737 aircraft were involved in a serious incident while carrying 103 passengers.

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The NSIB said, “The aircraft, operating as a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 persons on board, landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach. The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and came to a final stop 209 metres into the clearway.

“All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.”

According to the report, the domestic flight, which took off from Lagos, experienced an unstabilised final approach before landing long on Runway 21.

The NSIB revealed that the aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold, well beyond the recommended touchdown zone, and eventually came to a stop at 209 metres into the clearway.
While all on board disembarked safely, the incident raised immediate safety concerns.

READ ALSO:Bird Strike Forces Air Peace Flight To Emergency Return

The preliminary reports say toxicological test results conducted on the flight crew turned out positive. The Tests indicated the presence of alcohol in the system of the crew, while another crew member also tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active compound found in cannabis, colloquially referred to as “India hemp.”

The bureau noted that these toxicology results are being assessed within the scope of human performance and safety management, both critical factors in aviation incident investigations.
Following the development, the NSIB said it had issued immediate safety recommendations to the airline.

The statement further reads, “Initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption. A cabin crew member also tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis. These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.

READ ALSO:Air Peace Lambasts Oshiomhole For Unruly Conduct, Assaulting Staff, Barricading Terminal Entrance At Lagos Airpor

“The NSIB has issued immediate safety recommendations for Air Peace Limited to strengthen crew resource management training, particularly in handling unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions, and to reinforce internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty monitoring before flight dispatch.

“Toxicological test was conducted on the flight crew at Rivers state hospital management, department of medical laboratory, Port Harcourt, on 13th July 2025, and they tested positive for some substances. Toxicological screening conducted post-incident revealed that Captain and first officer tested positive for Ethyl Glucuronide, indicating recent alcohol consumption.”

Obasa speaks on his political ambition after Lagos speakership
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has admitted he is considering life beyond the speakership, saying he does not rule out a governorship ambition.

Obasa, who recently faced a political storm that briefly saw him removed from his position, said this in an interview with Television Continental on Thursday.

In his previous interview with the TV station, Obasa had said that the next step in his political career is to become a senator or a governor, having served as a councillor and speaker.

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When reminded about the statement, Obasa said the statement, which he made seven years ago, wasn’t assertive.

He maintained that his aspirations and decisions about his political future ultimately rest with his party.

“Let me just explain. Now that we are talking about politics, you have to be a member of a political party and if you are a member of a political party, you have to believe in the leadership of the party,” Obasa said.

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He explained that although every politician has ambitions, progression in politics depends on party structures and leaders.

“So you get to a stage where you cannot determine what is next for you. On your own, you may aspire that I want to become this, but if you have respect for the party and the way the party is being managed, you know that the party leaders will sit together and decide who will be next. It’s all about consultation, engagement with the party leaders,” he added.

The Speaker, however, did not deny harbouring governorship ambitions. When asked if he would consider extending his stay in the Lagos Assembly for another four-year term, Obasa responded, “not really.”

Former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, broke his silence after facing questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over alleged financial improprieties during his tenure.

Kyari arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, at about 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, where he was grilled by investigators over allegations bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.

Speaking briefly to journalists as he left the premises, the former NNPCL boss declared: “I have done my part; the EFCC must do theirs. When each of us does our duty, without fear or favour, with honour, respect, and commitment, Nigeria moves forward.”

READ ALSO:EFCC Grills Ex-NNPCL Boss, Mele Kyari

His interrogation comes amid an ongoing investigation into his financial dealings. The EFCC had earlier approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to freeze some accounts linked to Kyari to enable it to complete its probe.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case, in August ordered a temporary freeze on four Jaiz Bank accounts allegedly connected to Kyari. While the EFCC had requested a 60-day freeze, the court granted a 30-day order, with an option to renew if necessary.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite said: “I have listened to the counsel for the applicant and examined the affidavit evidence with the exhibits attached. I find this application meritorious and hereby grant it as prayed.

READ ALSO:EFCC Arrests CEO Over ₦2bn Ponzi Scheme

”The matter was adjourned to September 23 for a progress report on the investigation.

According to an affidavit filed by Amin Abdullahi, an EFCC investigator, the probe followed a petition dated April 24, submitted by a civil society group, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, accusing Kyari of conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering.Kyari, who led the state-owned oil company through a major transition from NNPC to NNPCL, has yet to make detailed comments on the allegations, maintaining that the anti-graft agency should be allowed to carry out its work.

The EFCC has not disclosed whether charges will follow the questioning, but sources said the investigation is ongoing and the court’s interim freeze order could be extended if needed.

Kyari, appointed NNPC GMD in 2019 and later retained as head of NNPCL after its commercialisation, left office in July 2025.