The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has grounded a Fokker 50 aircraft with registration number PH—3XJ belonging to Arik Air Limited and ordered the company to pay a fine of $20,000.
The aviation regulating body accused Arik of importing the aircraft, which was manufactured in 1991, without due diligence and “failure to comply with the mandatory pre-arrival of aircraft safety inspection.
According to the Media Assistant to the Director-General of NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, “the fine of $20,000 has been imposed on the airline, while the affected aircraft has been grounded forthwith.”
He also stated, “NCAA has also directed that the aircraft should leave the country forthwith,” noting that the Authority in its oversight function is determined to ensure effective air transportation in Nigeria.
But in a swift reaction, the management of Arik Air Limited said it alerted NCAA of the arrival of the aircraft because “the aircraft ought to have been inspected before being flown into the country or a waiver obtained.”
In a statement made available to THISDAY, Arik’s Head of Communications, Mr. Gbemiga Ogunleye said representatives of NCAA had met with Arik and had discussions, but “what has complicated matters is that Virgin Nigeria apparently had applied to the NCAA to carry out pre-arrival inspection of the same aircraft.” 
Ogunleye also told THISDAY that the company would immediately send the 16-year old aircraft out of Nigeria in response to NCAA’s directive.
http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=72262