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Suspended Dana Air Engaged Unlicensed Pilot, Planes Unfit – Report

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Fresh details have emerged on why the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended Dana Airlines’ air transport licence (ATL) and air operator certificate (AOC) indefinitely.

NCAA had said it suspended the operating licences after “discovering that the airline was no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations”.

In a document obtained by Persecondnews, the airline was suspended for many operational infractions against the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) other than a financial crisis.

The document, dated July 20, 2022, NCAA said Dana Air operated several flights on the MD 80 fleet with no licensed captain.

It also revealed that it had previously sanctioned Dana Air and its personnel for maintenance violations.

The aviation regulator said Dana Air committed several flagrant operational violations, including a captain flying aircraft with no unlicensed.

It added that the airline also conducted flights with overaged captains multiple times.

“Recall also that on 14th and 15th of July, 2022, the authority carried out an investigation into the flight operations of Dana Air during April 2022,” NCAA said.

“Dana Air operated several flights on the MD 80 fleet with no licensed captain. A captain of over 65 years of age sat on the jump seat, while a senior first officer on upgrade training sat on the left seat with a line first officer sitting on the right seat.

“A senior first officer occupied the left seat while a first officer occupied the right seat and operated Dana flight 342 LOS – PHC with aircraft 5N-DKI on 23rd of April, 2022. The flight continued from PHC – ABV and then ABV – LOS. The SF/O even went as far as signing the technical logbook.

“On the 20th of April, 2022, a re-qualifying captain, flew with a line captain, instead of a line trainer (instructor) or a check airman.

The authority said the chief pilot of Dana Air, who does not have an NCAA ‘Check Airman Authorisation’, also conducted checks.

It said flight deck crews scheduled for flights disregarded flight duty times and crew rest regulations; adding that the zapways rostering system utilised by Dana Air, although a good system, is open to manipulation by the scheduling and rostering staff.

“Dana Air’s director of flight operations, conducted checks on the aircraft even though his Check Airman authorisation had expired on the 12th of September, 2020 and, in addition, he was over 65 years of age,” it added.

“One of Dana Air’s captains who had attained 65 years of age in July 2021, operated several flights on the jump seat. Also, his Check Airman authorization expired on 23rd August 2021 but he continued to exercise the privilege.”

On the financial front, NCAA said, in June 2022, it carried out a financial and economic health audit of Dana Air for the years ended December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2021, and for the period January 2022 to May 2022.

NCAA added that its audit, in line with the provisions of section 30 (4) (b) and (r) and part 18.10.1 of the Nig.CARs found that Dana Air could not meet current obligations as they fall due without resorting to more borrowings/debts, as the current liabilities far exceed the current assets”.

It said the audit also revealed that the shareholders’ fund (equity) has been in the negative since 2018, and it would take Dana Air several years of operation for retained earnings to erase the negative equity.

According to the regulator, the audit also found that the debt to capital ratio is negative, adding Dana Air is financing operations through debts.

It added that the airline pays staff salaries in batches, “between the 1st and the 10th of the succeeding month, and recently sent some employees on compulsory three months leave without pay, an indication of serious liquidity challenge in the payment of staff entitlements, with the consequence of depressed morale, low productivity and the consequent impact on safety”.

“This is a red flag on the airline’s ability to finance current obligations,” NCAA said.

“It is also noteworthy to remind you that the authority recently sanctioned Dana Air and its personnel for maintenance violations.

“While Dana Air was fined a total sum of N30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million Naira), which it had not been able to settle to date due to financial constraints, the AME Licence of Dana Air’s erstwhile Director of Maintenance was revoked for making false statements and false entries in the technical logbooks of the aircraft, 5N-SAI and 5N-JOY.

“The authority is convinced that Dana Air and its personnel deliberately violate the provisions of the Nig.CARs relate to safety and, therefore, the Airline is no longer in a position to conduct safe operations.

“The cumulative and apparent deliberate violations of the Nig.CARS, as indicated above, by DANA Air employees, especially several key post holders are indicative of a toxic corporate safety culture within the organisation.

“This, in conjunction with the report of the financial and economic health audit, is a good indication that the safety and security of Dana’s flight operations are under serious threat and can no longer be guaranteed. Consequently, the authority, pursuant to Section 35 (2), (3) (b) and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006, hereby suspends indefinitely, effective midnight on Wednesday 20th July 2022, the Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued to Dana Airlines Limited.”

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Delta NMA Declares Blessing CEO’s Cancer Report Fraudulent

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The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Delta State branch, has officially debunked the cancer claims made by relationship influencer Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO.

In a statement on Tuesday, the association revealed that the document is an altered version of an original medical report belonging to a different patient diagnosed with breast cancer.

The statement, jointly signed by NMA Delta State Chairman, Dr. Israel Adaigho, and Secretary, Dr. Usamah Hannah, was sighted by The Nation on Tuesday.

According to the NMA, the viral report was purportedly issued by Xinus Medical Diagnostics and signed by consultant pathologist Dr. O.A. Odigwe.

However, Dr. Odigwe, who is the proprietor of the diagnostic centre, clarified that his facility never issued any report to Blessing Okoro.

The association explained that Xinus Medical Diagnostics is located in Asaba, Delta State not Enugu State as claimed in the circulating document.

The centre was contacted in May 2025 by a doctor from a private hospital in Asaba to conduct a confirmatory histology test for a patient identified as Mbara Deborah, who had a suspected case of breast cancer.

The test confirmed breast cancer, and the original result was issued to the referring doctor on May 9, 2025.

The NMA stated that the document currently being paraded online by the law firm Allen Juris Law is the original report bearing the name Mbara Deborah.

The version linked to Blessing CEO appears to be a doctored copy of this same report.

The statement read in part: “Our attention has been drawn to an online histology report purportedly issued to one Blessing Okoro, aka Blessing CEO, by Xinus Medical Diagnostics allegedly located in Enugu State. The said histology report was also alleged to have been signed by Dr. O.A. Odigwe, a consultant pathologist.

“The proprietor of Xinus Medical Diagnostics, Dr. O.A. Odigwe, who is also a member of the Nigerian Medical Association, Delta State chapter, has reached us and offered the following clarification: that Xinus Medical Diagnostics is located in Asaba, Delta State and did not at any time issue any report to Blessing Okoro.

“The centre was contacted in May 2025 by a doctor from a private hospital in Asaba to do a confirmatory test on a possible case of breast cancer for a patient, Mbara Deborah. The test was done and the result issued to the referring doctor as a case of breast cancer on May 9, 2025.

“A copy of that result is the one currently being circulated online by the law firm, Allen Juris Law, with the name Mbara Deborah as the patient. That result from the law firm is the original version issued to the patient through her hospital.”

The NMA said the clarification became necessary because of the way the altered report was allegedly being used to solicit public sympathy and financial assistance.

It urged the public to be cautious and warned against actions that could tarnish the integrity of medical professionals.

The association also called on relevant security agencies to take appropriate steps to protect unsuspecting members of the public.

“The integrity of our association and its members is very paramount and should not therefore be taken for granted.

“We call on the authorities responsible for maintaining law and order to do the needful and save unsuspecting members of the public from being unduly taken advantage of,” it added.

Recall that Blessing CEO recently solicited financial help from the public for the treatment of what she claimed was stage four cancer.

Following widespread backlash and allegations that her medical report had been edited, she made a U-turn, stating in an interview: “I don’t have stage 4 cancer. That was a miscommunication.”

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Abuja Court Jails Boko Haram Food Supplier, Hamatu Modu For 40 Years

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Justice Binta Fatima Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Hamatu Modu, a major food supplier for Boko Haram terrorists, to 40 years imprisonment for his involvement in terrorism activities.

Modu, who confessed in the open court to supplying food items and information to terrorists, was put on trial by the federal government through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

He was slammed with 4- count charges and instantly pleaded guilty to them.

The Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation, DPPF, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, led the prosecution.

In his judgment, Justice Nyako sentenced him to 10 years on each of the count but due to the plea of the defense counsel, the judge ordered that the 40 years imprisonment should run concurrently, giving the convict opportunity to spend only 10 years.

In another development, Isah Ali, another food supplier also in Borno, was jailed 10 years by Justice Nyako.

His jail term will, however, start three years ago when he was arrested and clamped into detention.

The convict confessed to committing the offence as charged.

Justice Nyako ordered that the convicts be made to undergo rehabilitation and radicalization at the end of their service of the jail terms.

The Federal Ministry of Interior was ordered to determine where the two men will serve their jail terms.

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Just In: Kebbi Assembly Speaker Muhammad Ankwai Passes Away

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The Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Usman Ankwai has passed away in the late hours of Monday, 6 April 2026.

Ankwai, who represented Zuru Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC), was elected Speaker at the inauguration of the 10th Assembly on June 8, 2023.

Details surrounding the circumstances of his death were not immediately disclosed at the time of filing this report.

His death has, however, triggered an outpouring of condolences from fellow lawmakers, political associates, and residents across Kebbi State, many of whom have described him as a dedicated public servant who contributed to legislative development in the state.

Further announcements regarding burial arrangements are expected to be made by his family soon.

 

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