Imo State First Lady and Masarrah Air rift lingers
By Salisu Sayyadi Usman, Kano
The controversy and the war of words that have rocked the hitherto cordial business dealing between the Imo state First Lady, Mrs. Chioma Ohakim and Masarrah Air Services, a Kano based travel agency with branches in Lagos and Abuja is unabated as the company have replied the former that it is not out to blackmail and extort her as she alleged.
In a press release titled, Re: Hotel Debt Scam, I am the victim_ Mrs. Ohakim
and dated January 30, 2008, an email copy of which was made available to our correspondent, Managing Director of Masarrah Air Services, Mrs. Balquis El-Daw Chamie said instead, the ignorance of the practicing standards in the aviation industry on the part of the First Lady and her aides as well as friends have led largely to the controversy and breakdown in communication.
The company therefore insisted that it must be paid the sum of N640, 000. 00 owed it by the Mrs. Ohakim otherwise it will seek legal redress, while assuring that if its fees for services rendered is paid, and the First Lady show proof of documents revealing she flew economy class instead of first class she paid for, the airline will refund her balance in line with provision of the International Air Travel Association (IATA) regulation, adding that this shouldn’t lead to withholding the company’s money for the accommodation provided her while on the said trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE) last September.
It will be recalled that Masarrah had accused the First Lady in an earlier publicized story of owing it N640, 000. 00 for accommodating her at the prestigious Taj Palace Hotel in Dubai when she was on a visit September, last year claiming that the hotel had debited its account as the agents for Mrs. Chioma Ohakim.
But in a swift reaction on her behalf by her Chief Press Secretary, Angela Nkwo, the Imo state First Lady had fired back saying the travels and tour agency was only trying to take advantage of her as a governor’s wife with intent to blackmail and extort her, alleging instead that it was the company that will have to refund her to the tune of over N300, 000. 00.
The letter from Masarrah Air Services reads, “Our attention has been drawn to the publication on the above subject matter in National Daily, December 24-28, 2008 with the title; Hotel debt scam, I am the victim-Mrs. Ohakim and City People, January 16, 2008 edition entitled, ‘Alleged Dubai Hotel Debt Scandal; Imo Ist Lady, Chioma Ohakim Reacts’.
In the said publications which are products of a press release duly signed by her Chief Press Secretary, Angela Nkwo and in which it was claimed that what we alleged is outright falsehood and a deliberate attempt to blackmail and extort, is nothing but an effort emanating from ignorance of what the real issues are. Or better still, her position could best be described as sheer mischief by the First Lady who claimed to be a lawyer, as well as her legal representatives and lieutenants who all lack knowledge of the current practicing standards in the aviation industry.
This is because we are astonished that none of them or her numerous friends have called her attention to the position of the International Air Travel Association (IATA) on such issues as the one at stake, even though, we are of the opinion that Imo state as a people travel far and wide.
Now, to the crux of the matter. If Mrs. Ohakim regularly ply the international route and is conversant with the process, she would not embarrass herself with spurious claims that she was booked on economy instead of first class. But from all indications, she appears to be a first timer on the international route”, it claimed.
Masarrah revealed that she was never in doubt before she embarked on the trip that the dates she requested from her original booking (10th September First Class DXB-LOS was confirmed). 11th September was not confirmed before she traveled.
It said that, according to the email her Protocol Officer, Mr. John Uzoma sent on her behalf, she specifically requested for 11th September (on her ticket: DXB-LOS reads RQ- request not OK- confirmed). How can she now claim she was not aware when her Protocol Officer was duly informed about it?
The Kano-based travel agency therefore averred that “as contained in our earlier position, we made it categorically clear we do not run a charity and we want to re-emphasize just that. Besides, we do not blackmail and extort. What we do at Masarrah Air Services is service delivery and to specifications. The company is duly registered with appropriate Nigerian and international authorities, and runs the business of travels and tours which we have carried out without any blemish in the last fifteen years. We boast of fully operational branches in Lagos and Abuja ”.
“We do not compromise standards either, and this obviously explains why no clients have registered any iota of complaints against us over the years; except Mrs. Ohakim. We have handled travel and accommodation arrangements for several high caliber local and international clienteles, some of them holding positions of authority far and above that of the Office of First Lady. And we at Masarrah Air Services can beat our chest that at no time in our meritorious years of service have any individual or organization for that matter accuse us of poor work ethics or delivery, neither have we been slandered for cheating and blackmail”.
It continued that, “the records are there, and if the Imo State First Lady or anyone else feels otherwise, they could go cross-check. So, we take exception to the allegation that we set out to blackmail and extort. Blackmail who and why? Is this the reason she has resorted to vindictiveness and petty blames where there are none? How is it our fault that she is not familiar with the rules and regulations of airlines since she is not a frequent traveler.
It is a usual occurrence that when an airline cannot confirm a passenger, either due to its fault or that of the passenger, no matter how important, respectable and dignified; not even if the name rings a bell, if confirmation for the flight is not attained in a preferred class, not once have they tried to take advantage of their positions of prominence; except in Mrs. Ohakim’s case.
She further accused us of tying to take advantage of her position. We dare ask what position? What she probably does not understand is that we had called and requested booking control to try and confirm her flight for the 11th September flight (her new choice date of travel), but unsuccessfully. However, not due to any fault of ours. Besides, she perhaps is unaware that the system is computerized and is not programmed to recognize specific names with a view to allocate and distribute preferred seats on the aircraft on the basis of recognizing an individual passenger.
However, we are of the opinion that even if it were so, she still would no have gotten confirmation for her new date; because she isn’t as recognizable or important as she probably think”.
The managing director of Masarrah Air Services in the press release further made it clear that, “no airline will substitute somebody’s name for another person who was confirmed for a flight, regardless of the person’s position where the flight is taking off or heading to. And it might interest Mrs. Ohakim to note that it is to avoid these kinds of inconveniences that gave rise to ownership of private jets. Let her get one for herself if she so desire.
What is more? On the issue of hotel accommodation in Dubai which is where we lay claim to the N640, 000. 00 she owes our company, we have proof of payment to Taj Palace Hotel for which our account was debited for all the days she spent there. There is never any relationship in terms of payment for flight ticket and hotel accommodation as one transaction in travels and tour business. Only when the airline takes responsibility for that can it be held accountable, this is not the situation between the airline in question and Mrs. Ohakim.
She should therefore simply pay up for the accommodation and go ahead to show evidence her flight ticket was downgraded and the airline will handle that adequately. We reiterate here that they are ‘stand alone’ transactions and should be treated as such. We insist we are not cheats, as only her low knowledge of flight procedures that have led to the ensuing brouhaha. So is the communication breakdown in this regards. A little education and understanding on her part on this subject matter might just have made the difference.
At this point, it is necessary to take a sneak view of the issue using acceptable IATA and airline rules and regulations as a parameter in regards to downgraded tickets: It states that,
(a) One must have a boarding pass (which will show class traveled) or a stamp on the ticket jacket indicating the person was downgraded.
(b) The allegation that we deliberately secured an economy seat for her and gave her first class seat to someone else is untrue, because it is practically impossible. Reason being that under IATA rules, change of name is not permitted, and it is tackled as a serious offence.
Our responses
She should note that refunds are handled solely by certain airlines in their offices now and the amount due refunded to the agents (ie; upon proof by the passenger who was downgraded). No travel agent can claim refund of a downgraded ticket from any airline without the provision of the above requirements, and Masarrah Air Services is no exception. Much as we had tried to make her understand this, the Imo State First Lady will not budge.
Masarrah Air Services is not holding a single ‘kobo’ belonging to Mrs. Ohakim. We therefore wonder where she got the impression that we still owe her over N300, 000. 00.
We would not injure our agency name and hard earned reputation over the years for a meager commission due to us on Mrs. Ohakim’s ticket. In fact, we had worked out a very reasonable discount, the best that can be found in the industry in our effort to entice her further to patronize us; instead she dragged us into this undue controversy. If she had demanded for a proper explanation before reaching her rash decision, we would have obliged her.
But , if she had requested for an explanation and return of the difference which amounts to over N300, 000. 00 upon her return, why then did she pay the sum of N400, 000. 00 through her solicitor as she alleged?
Why did it take her over three months to pay the N400, 000. 00? And why did she have to pay at all for services she claimed were not rendered to her, just because she is a governor’s wife?
Nonetheless, we assure her that if she swallows her pride and provide the requirements, the airline will refund her balance accordingly without delay. It is as simple as that.
Be that as it may, we can only accept liability for the controversy emanating from this relationship because we took too much for granted in the first instance. The reason we blame ourselves is because we did not follow our ‘modus operandi’ to the letter. Until her turn, perhaps because we thought we were dealing with a credible personality and for the respectable and reputable contact who introduced her to us, we have never handled visa procurement nor made hotel reservations for anyone who we have no prior knowledge.
That is, only family relations, trusted friends and our regular clienteles enjoy our credit facilities. But Mrs. Ohakim was considered on the strength of her recommendation by the said contact who has been a reliable client over the years. We had handled the First lady’s travel arrangements with her protocol officer, Mr. John Uzoma with whom we were relating while the transaction lasted”, the release concluded. End
FIND BELOW THE FULL CONTENT OF THE TEXT
PRESS RELEASE
RE: HOTEL DEBT SCAM, I am the victim_ Mrs. Ohakim
Our attention has been drawn to the publication on the above subject matter in National Daily, December 24-28, 2008 with the title; Hotel debt scam, I am the victim-Mrs. Ohakim and City People, January 16, 2008 edition entitled, ‘Alleged Dubai Hotel Debt Scandal; Imo Ist Lady, Chioma Ohakim Reacts’.
In the said publications which are products of a press release duly signed by her Chief Press Secretary, Angela Nkwo and in which it was claimed that what we alleged is outright falsehood and a deliberate attempt to blackmail and extort, is nothing but an effort emanating from ignorance of what the real issues are. Or better still, her position could best be described as sheer mischief by the First Lady who claimed to be a lawyer, as well as her legal representatives and lieutenants who all lack knowledge of the current practicing standards in the aviation industry.
This is because we are astonished that none of them or her numerous friends have called her attention to the position of the International Air Travel Association (IATA) on such issues as the one at stake, even though, we are of the opinion that Imo state as a people travel far and wide.
Now, to the crux of the matter. If Mrs. Ohakim regularly ply the international route and is conversant with the process, she would not embarrass herself with spurious claims that she was booked on economy instead of first class. But from all indications, she appears to be a first timer on the international route.
We say this because she was not in doubt before she embarked on the trip that the dates she requested from her original booking (10th September First Class DXB-LOS was confirmed). 11th September was not confirmed before she traveled. According to the email her Protocol Officer, Mr. John Uzoma sent on her behalf, she specifically requested for 11th September (on her ticket: DXB-LOS reads RQ- request not OK- confirmed). How can she now claim she was not aware when her Protocol Officer was duly informed about it?
As contained in our earlier position, we made it categorically clear we do not run a charity and we want to re-emphasize just that. Besides, we do not blackmail and extort. What we do at Masarrah Air Services is service delivery and to specifications. The company is duly registered with appropriate Nigerian and international authorities, and runs the business of travels and tours which we have carried out without any blemish in the last fifteen years. We boast of fully operational branches in Lagos and Abuja .
We do not compromise standards either, and this obviously explains why no clients have registered any iota of complaints against us over the years; except Mrs. Ohakim. We have handled travel and accommodation arrangements for several high caliber local and international clienteles, some of them holding positions of authority far and above that of the Office of First Lady. And we at Masarrah Air Services can beat our chest that at no time in our meritorious years of service have any individual or organization for that matter accuse us of poor work ethics or delivery, neither have we been slandered for cheating and blackmail.
The records are there, and if the Imo State First Lady or anyone else feels otherwise, they could go cross-check. So, we take exception to the allegation that we set out to blackmail and extort. Blackmail who and why? Is this the reason she has resorted to vindictiveness and petty blames where there are none? How is it our fault that she is not familiar with the rules and regulations of airlines since she is not a frequent traveler.
It is a usual occurrence that when an airline cannot confirm a passenger, either due to its fault or that of the passenger, no matter how important, respectable and dignified; not even if the name rings a bell, if confirmation for the flight is not attained in a preferred class, not once have they tried to take advantage of their positions of prominence; except in Mrs. Ohakim’s case.
She further accused us of tying to take advantage of her position. We dare ask what position? What she probably does not understand is that we had called and requested booking control to try and confirm her flight for the 11th September flight (her new choice date of travel), but unsuccessfully. However, not due to any fault of ours. Besides, she perhaps is unaware that the system is computerized and is not programmed to recognize specific names with a view to allocate and distribute preferred seats on the aircraft on the basis of recognizing an individual passenger.
However, we are of the opinion that even if it were so, she still would no have gotten confirmation for her new date; because she isn’t as recognizable or important as she probably think.
In any case, no airline will substitute somebody’s name for another person who was confirmed for a flight, regardless of the person’s position where the flight is taking off or heading to. And it might interest Mrs. Ohakim to note that it is to avoid these kinds of inconveniences that gave rise to ownership of private jets. Let her get one for herself if she so desire.
What is more? On the issue of hotel accommodation in Dubai which is where we lay claim to the N640, 000. 00 she owes our company, we have proof of payment to Taj Palace Hotel for which our account was debited for all the days she spent there. There is never any relationship in terms of payment for flight ticket and hotel accommodation as one transaction in travels and tour business. Only when the airline takes responsibility for that can it be held accountable, this is not the situation between the airline in question and Mrs. Ohakim.
She should therefore simply pay up for the accommodation and go ahead to show evidence her flight ticket was downgraded and the airline will handle that adequately. We reiterate here that they are ‘stand alone’ transactions and should be treated as such. We insist we are not cheats, as only her low knowledge of flight procedures that have led to the ensuing brouhaha. So is the communication breakdown in this regards. A little education and understanding on her part on this subject matter might just have made the difference.
At this point, it is necessary to take a sneak view of the issue using acceptable IATA and airline rules and regulations as a parameter in regards to downgraded tickets: It states that,
(a) One must have a boarding pass (which will show class traveled) or a stamp on the ticket jacket indicating the person was downgraded.
(b) The allegation that we deliberately secured an economy seat for her and gave her first class seat to someone else is untrue, because it is practically impossible. Reason being that under IATA rules, change of name is not permitted, and it is tackled as a serious offence.
Our responses
She should note that refunds are handled solely by certain airlines in their offices now and the amount due refunded to the agents (ie; upon proof by the passenger who was downgraded). No travel agent can claim refund of a downgraded ticket from any airline without the provision of the above requirements, and Masarrah Air Services is no exception. Much as we had tried to make her understand this, the Imo State First Lady will not budge.
Masarrah Air Services is not holding a single ‘kobo’ belonging to Mrs. Ohakim. We therefore wonder where she got the impression that we still owe her over N300, 000. 00.
We would not injure our agency name and hard earned reputation over the years for a meager commission due to us on Mrs. Ohakim’s ticket. In fact, we had worked out a very reasonable discount, the best that can be found in the industry in our effort to entice her further to patronize us; instead she dragged us into this undue controversy. If she had demanded for a proper explanation before reaching her rash decision, we would have obliged her.
But , if she had requested for an explanation and return of the difference which amounts to over N300, 000. 00 upon her return, why then did she pay the sum of N400, 000. 00 through her solicitor as she alleged?
Why did it take her over three months to pay the N400, 000. 00? And why did she have to pay at all for services she claimed were not rendered to her, just because she is a governor’s wife?
Nonetheless, we assure her that if she swallows her pride and provide the requirements, the airline will refund her balance accordingly without delay. It is as simple as that.
Be that as it may, we can only accept liability for the controversy emanating from this relationship because we took too much for granted in the first instance. The reason we blame ourselves is because we did not follow our ‘modus operandi’ to the letter. Until her turn, perhaps because we thought we were dealing with a credible personality and for the respectable and reputable contact who introduced her to us, we have never handled visa procurement nor made hotel reservations for anyone who we have no prior knowledge.
That is, only family relations, trusted friends and our regular clienteles enjoy our credit facilities. But Mrs. Ohakim was considered on the strength of her recommendation by the said contact who has been a reliable client over the years. We had handled the First lady’s travel arrangements with her protocol officer, Mr. John Uzoma with whom we were relating while the transaction lasted.
We would be extremely grateful if this release in given due attention in your publication.
Thanks.
Mrs. Balquis El-Daw Chamie
Managing Director, Masarrah Air Services
January 30, 2008
Find below FIRST STORY from Masarrah’s allegation widely publicized.
Imo governor’s wife in hotel debt palaver in Dubai
Nigerians in high places will not cease to amaze the discerning public as they use every available opportunity they possess to oppress, not just the unprivileged, but even the endowed that they can; especially if those not holding political offices. They do this in so many ways, both in the political, traditional, religious, social and business spheres.
The case in hand now can be likened to executive lawlessness which has been taken a step further by the wife of Mr. Ikedi Ohakim, the governor of Imo state whose wife, Mrs. Chioma Ohakim is at the centre of a storm over a soured business deal and in which she has deployed her state powers to intimidate a service provider who trusted her at the initial stage.
The governor’s wife have stoically refused to pay for services rendered her by a leading travels and tour operator based in Kano and Lagos, Masarrah Air Services and its sister company, Alfurat Bridge General Trading, situated in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate (UAE).
Though, the Imo state First Lady was revealed to have confessed enjoying the services she received on her nine days sojourn in Dubai , why she has refused to pay up the expenses incurred for the same services she described as second to none is still a matter of surprise to many.
Besides, why she would not pay the amount, which is a conservative sum of N640, 000. 00; that is 18, 250. 00 Dirhams (as the Dubai currency is known) or 5, 000 US Dollars due to the very fantastic discount she was offered by the Kano-based outfit have continued to baffled discerning observers.
It would be recalled that the First Lady was in Dubai about three months ago, in September to be precise, on a shopping spree, but ran out of cash at a point which made her request for deferred payment for the services rendered her by the travels operator whose account had already been debited by the Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai in the United Arab Emirate where she lodged.
At the Taj Palace Hotel located off Maktoum Road, Deira, Dubai, the Imo state governor’s wife was accorded a five-star treatment, coupled with the reasonable rebate she got in line with the cordial relationship Masarrah Air Services and Alfurat Bridge General Trading has with the hotel.
Independent investigations revealed that Mrs. Chioma Ohakim may soon be dragged to a law court to answer charges of cheating and betrayal of trust since she had turned down every entreaty to pay up; including snubbing a letter written to her on behalf of the Kano based travel agency by its legal representatives, J.Y. Musa & Co based in Kano . What the company received after sometime was when her lawyer reached out to Masarrah’s legal counsel saying that the company would be dragged before Nigeria ’s anti-graft body, the Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC).
At another time, one of her aides said she boasted she is a lawyer and by that simple fact, she would sue the company and whoever is behind it, for making her travel economy class on her return trip back to the country. But the travels and tour outfit asserted that, she did not confirm her first class tickets on time and so on flight day, she was relegated to the economy class instead of the First Class which she so desired and which she think befits her as a governor’s spouse.
Emirates Airlines, just as every other, do not consider class or status in giving preference to its customers, but on ‘first come, first serve basis’ which was what applied with the Imo state First Lady. She simply turned up late to confirm her return ticket, and when the compartment was filled she was stepped down to economy class. It was as simple as that, a source confirmed.
Masarrah Air Services which informed newsmen that the company had handled travel arrangements for its wide range of high-profile clienteles in the past, and some on credit basis which it enters into based on trust has never experienced the kind of ill treatment Mrs. Ohakim has meted on it.
The company is equally amazed why the Imo First Lady should resort to unethical standard just to avoid paying up a paltry N640, 000. 00; which she genuinely incurred. She is said to have torn off the boarding passes on her travel document to cover up trails of the trip to the Far East country, even though her motives are not explained; just as the purpose for the trip.
Surprisingly too, she is revealed to have turned the heat on the hapless travel agency by threatening to report it to the EFCC if it does not desist from pestering her to pay up the debt.
But managing director of Masarrah Air Services, Mrs. Bilkis El Daw in an encounter told newsmen neither she nor her company can be intimidated as it is the First Lady herself who should be dragged to the anti-graft body for her dubious action which is very unbecoming of someone occupying an exalted position like hers.
Though, further checks indicated that the Imo state governor’s wife was supposed to have paid up before leaving Dubai for Nigeria, she however sought for more time; promising to pay up on reaching the country. She may have over-shot her budget due to her spending spree; because she was said to be highly fascinated and overwhelmed by the exquisite and beautiful items she came across while shopping, most of which she had confided she had never been opportune to see all her life.
Her request for deferred payment was granted innocently by the company and in good faith based on trust and her personality, moreso, as she promised to settle the debt without delay on arrival in Nigeria .
However, officials of the company were jolted to their bone marrow when she remained adamant upon reaching the country, but instead, resorted to playing pranks and threatening hell and hailstorm.
The travels company is even more surprised, not knowing what she intended to achieve by detaching the boarding pass from her tickets, moreso, because it is expected that she should be knowledgeable enough to know that no travel document is stamped unless there is a boarding pass affixed to it.
But how did it all get started. Going by some correspondences that emanated from Masarrah Air Services and Alfurat Bridge General Trading as well as Taj Palace Hotel on the one hand, and Mr. John Uzoma, the Protocol Officer to the First Lady, Mrs. Chioma Ohakim on the other, copies of which are in possession of our correspondent, it was observed that the transaction was cordial at every point until it reached payment time where she pleaded for more time; albeit verbally.
For instance, in a letter dated 01st September 2007 from Alfurat Bridge General Trading located on Plot 129 Al-Maktoum Street, Dubai and addressed to the Reservation Manager of Taj Palace Hotel titled, ‘Ref: Hotel Reservation (Mrs. Chioma Ohakim)’, it reads, “Reference to our phone conversation earlier today regarding the above, we would like to make a reservation for One Unit of Two Bedroom apartment with the following details”. Name of Guest: Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, Date of Check in: 03rd September 2007, Date of Arrival: 04th September 2007, Check in Time: 02:40AM, Flight Details: EK 784 from Lagos , Check Out Date: 11th September 2007, Duration of Stay: 9 days, Confirmation No.: 251755.
“Kindly confirm the room rate for the period of stay and debit our account accordingly with the room rates only. We wish to remind you that any extra expenses or bills such as laundry, phone calls, meals, room service etc, will be borne by the guest before they check out of the hotel. Your usual cooperation will be highly appreciated”, the letter signed by one N.A. Chamie for Alfurat Bridge General Trading LLC concluded.
The Protocol Officer to the Imo state First Lady, Mr. John Uzoma had sent an internet message to Mrs Bilkis El Daw stating, “Madam, Good day ma, and hows work? The address of the Imo State Governor’s lodge at Abuja is 42 Jose Marti Street , Asokoro, Abuja . The phone number of the contact man, Mr Nnadi is 08053399452. Please note that the hotel accommodation should be up to 10th September, 2007. Regards”, to which came a reply via the internet too.
Another internet correspondence dated Saturday, 1 September 2007 from Bilkis El Daw email to John Uzoma but signed by N.A Chamie whose subject matter is simply ‘Re: Imo inf’ have it that “We have made the hotel reservation for Mrs. Chioma Ohakim with the following details: Name of Hotel: TAJ PALACE HOTEL OFF MAKHOUM ROAD, DEIRA, DUBAI. Confirmation No.: 251755, Check in Date: 03/09/2007, Arrival Date: 04/09/2007, Departure Date: 11/09/2007.
The booking is for a Two Bedroom Apt. The walk-in guest rate from 03/09/2007 and upto 06/09/2007 is 1, 980. 00 Dhs. per day. The walk-in guest rate from 07/09/2007 and upto 11/09/2007 is 2, 550. 00 Dhs. Per day.
However, our corporate rate that we will charge the guest will be 1, 750. 00 Dhs and 2, 250. 00 Dhs respectively. The total hotel rate will be as follows. From 03/09/2007-06/09/2007, ie 4 Nights @ 1, 750. 00 = 7, 000. 00 Dirhams. From 07/09/2007-11/09/2007, ie 5 Nights @ 2, 250. 00 = 11, 250. 00 Dirhams. The total amount for the basic rate of the apartment inclusive of taxes will be 18, 250. 00 Dhs which is equivalent to USD 5, 000 or Naira 640, 000. 00 Only.
Kindly note that the above rates do not include the extra services such as room service, laundry, phone calls etc. These extra expenses are usually settled by the guest before checking out of the hotel. Please note that since the passengers are first class ticket holders, their transport from the airport to the hotel will be taken care of by the Emirates Airlines.
We hope that the above details will suffice and should you require any clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us. We wish you a pleasant stay in Dubai . Best Regards. N.A Chamie. For: Masarrah Air Services”, the message is contained.
Similarly, another internet message from N.A Chamie on behalf of Alfurat Bridge General Trading dated Sunday 2nd September with subject title, ‘RE: Reservation of 2-Bed Room Apt. (Mrs Chioma Ohakim)01-09-2007’ to Taj Palace Hotel reads, “Dear Mr. Kamal, Thank you for the confirmation of the booking. Our guest will be arriving Dubai in the early hours of the 04th of Sept 2007 on EK 784 from Lagos . She does not require airport pickup.
Kindly note that you will debit our account with the room rate only and any other expenses or bills should be settled by the guest before checking out of the hotel as we discussed with you. Kindly inform the front desk staff and your billing department of same”. This one was also signed by N. A Chamie.
The hotel’s response to Chamie read thus: “Greetings from Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai …We thank you for your reservation at Taj Palace Hotel Dubai and we are pleased to confirm your reservation as follows: - Guest Name: Mrs Chioma Ohakim, Confirmation No.: 251755, Company/Travel agent: Alfurat Bridge, Arrival date: 03/09/2007, Flight Details: Awaited, Airport Pickup: Not Requested, Airport pick Charges: AED 60.00, Departure Date: 11/09/2007, No. of Rooms: 1 Unit, Room Type: 2 Bed Room Apartments”.
From the above quoted correspondences and some verbal submissions by the First Lady for enjoying good quality services, it is then surprising that controversy has continued to trail the transaction.
Already, the legal counsel to Masarrah Air Services, Barrister J.Y. Musa had in a letter dated October 17th 2007 and addressed to the First Lady titled, ‘In the Matter of your Indebtedness to Masarrah Air Services’ informed her that it had been mandated to request her to pay up the sum of N640, 000. 00 for her accommodation at the Dubai hotel in three days, failure for which legal actions would be taken against her.
In the letter copied to the executive governor, the Chief Protocol Officer as well as Masarrah Air Services, it stated that “Our instruction reveals that our client procured your traveling documents to Dubai which include your visa and hotel accommodation in Dubai from the 3rd to 11th day of September, 2007….
Upon your return from Dubai you returned two tickets to our client’s offices and without any complaints. The said used tickets are without their boarding pass. Well, we wish to state that having stayed in the hotel which was booked; reserved and paid for by our client for you, it behooves you to pay our client the sum of $5, 000 (USD) dollars or the N640, 000. 00 (Six hundred and forty thousand naira).
We hold you and your office as the First Lady of Imo State in high esteem and would not want you or the office ridiculed because of an amount so insignificant as this. Our client is in business for profit making and not a charitable organization and this letter gives you an opportunity to prevent further legal tussle between yourself and our client”, it noted.
The letter went on to say that consequent upon the foregoing, Mrs. Ohakim should pay the said amount through its office within three days from the date contained in the letter to her, as it will be left with an irresistible conclusion that she wants the matter to go public including a resort to judicial process. END
The
material contained on this Web site comes to you from and through
AmanaOnline, a US NGO. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post any
item on this site, please retain this credit and