The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced that it will arraign the Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, Mr. Temi Birdzell, along with other top officials of the airline, on October 7, 2025.
The commission is charging them with multiple violations of the FCCPC Act, 2018.
The matter, which was originally scheduled to begin on Tuesday, could not proceed because none of the defendants appeared in court.
According to court officials, the defendants were absent due to improper service of court documents, including the hearing notice. The arraignment will now take place before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Birdzell is charged alongside the airline, its Account Manager Stella Ihediwa, Country Manager Kennedy Chirchir, and Sales Manager Eva Ojeje.
These individuals and the company have been listed as the 1st to 5th defendants in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/200/2025.
Court Adjourns Proceedings Due to Failed Service
When the case was called in court on Tuesday, FCCPC’s legal representative, Chizenum Nsitem, informed the judge that only the airline had been served with court papers. He added that the commission had not succeeded in serving the remaining four defendants.
“We were unable to serve four of the defendants. Only the company has been properly served,” Nsitem told the court.
He then requested more time to complete the required legal procedures. Justice Omotosho granted the request and postponed the case to October 7 to allow the defendants to take their plea.
The FCCPC had filed its two-count charge against the defendants on May 27, 2025, following an application dated May 26.
In the charge, the commission accuses Qatar Airways and its senior executives of failing to comply with lawful summonses and withholding requested documents.
Defendants Face Multiple Charges Under FCCPC Act
The charges stem from an alleged failure to honour a summons issued by the FCCPC on September 6, 2024. The commission said that the accused parties did not appear as required and also failed to submit documents on September 18, 2024, in line with legal directives.
These actions, according to the FCCPC, violate Sections 33(3), 111, and 124(1) of the FCCPC Act, 2018. Each of these sections covers offences such as non-compliance with lawful orders, failure to provide required documents, and breaches of consumer rights.
The commission says these offences are punishable under Sections 33(3), 111, and 155 of the same law.
The matter is expected to attract significant public and legal attention, as it involves an international airline and senior corporate officials.
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