Air Peace flight crew has dismissed the recent report from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) as a smear campaign and has threatened to pursue legal action within 72 hours unless the report is retracted.

On September 11, the NSIB claimed that an Air Peace pilot and co-pilot involved in a runway excursion at Port Harcourt airport on July 13 tested positive for alcohol, while a cabin crew member was alleged to have tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis.

Victory Maduneme, an Air Peace cabin crew member, expressed her shock on Arise News Night after receiving the test results from NSIB investigators, who had taken her blood and urine samples following the incident. She stated that the results were delayed by 10 days, and upon reviewing them in Lagos, she felt compelled to consult a doctor.

Maduneme recounted that after responding to NSIB’s initial findings, she was given another letter nearly three weeks later requiring a “reconfirmatory” test, which she consented to. She was referred to Dr. Adetunji of Kupa Aerospace Clinic, a licensed facility for such tests. According to her account, the doctor inquired about marijuana use, noting it typically remains detectable for up to 90 days. However, feeling the need to clear her name, Maduneme insisted on undergoing the test, which ultimately returned negative results.

She questioned why NSIB did not notify her airline if marijuana had indeed been found in her system, stating that such information could pose a potential risk to passengers and would warrant immediate action regarding her flight status.

Maduneme said, “If NSIB has a smearing campaign against the airline, they should keep the innocent people away from this. If they do not retract their statements about me within the next 72 hours, I believe we should sue. This is pure defamation of character.”

David Bernard, a co-pilot on the flight, echoed her sentiments, asserting that he does not consume alcohol or drugs. He criticized NSIB’s testing methods, advocating for breathalyzers as a more efficient means of detecting alcohol levels. He also raised concerns about the credibility of the laboratories used for testing, emphasizing the impact of unfounded allegations on his reputation and career.

Air Peace has also denied the allegations posed by NSIB and stated that the bureau has yet to communicate its findings regarding the investigation into the Port Harcourt runway incident.