The Nigerian Bar Association has demanded that Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) immediately withdraw the lifetime ban imposed on Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger who was forcefully removed from the aircraft on Sunday at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for allegedly assaulting a crew member.
In a statement on Tuesday, signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, and Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, the NBA said the AON and Ibom Air decided without hearing from the passenger, a move they said breaches the fundamental principle of fair hearing and renders the decision legally and morally indefensible.
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“The NBA demands that AON and Ibom Air immediately withdraw the lifetime ban, issue a public apology to Ms Emmanson, and cooperate fully with an impartial investigation into this incident.
“We also call on the Minister for Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough inquiry, sanction all those found culpable, and enforce strict compliance with established standards for the humane treatment of air passengers,” the statement said.
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It further stated that the NBA stands ready to provide Ms Emmanson with free legal support to ensure her rights are protected and that she obtains redress for the violations suffered.
“We will not remain silent while the fundamental rights of any Nigerian are trampled upon, whether by public authorities, private corporations, or individuals. Respect for human dignity and the rule of law must never be compromised, and in this matter, justice must prevail.
A video of the airport incident showed an altercation between the passenger and some officials of the Ibom Air crew, leading to the passenger being dragged out of the aircraft, with part of her body stripped.
In response, both Ibom Air and Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) placed a lifetime ban on the passenger from travelling domestically and internationally in any of their operators’ aircraft.
Ibom Air said the pilot-in-command resorted to inviting security after the passenger refused to disembark, which led to the crew restraining her to ensure safe removal. The passenger has been remanded in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
But the NBA said an emerging video of the incident revealed a contrary position of Ibom Air.
“It is deeply disturbing that Ms Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and subjected to humiliation that was filmed and circulated online.
Such conduct is degrading, violates her right to dignity and privacy, and falls far short of the standards of civility and professionalism expected in the aviation sector. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be treated in such a dehumanising manner.
“While Ibom Air has issued its own account of events, other video footage has emerged showing an Ibom Air hostess preventing Ms Emmanson from alighting from the aircraft, a conduct that could constitute false imprisonment and a possible provocation that escalated the situation.
This makes it all the more critical that the matter be subjected to an independent, impartial investigation by the appropriate authorities before any disciplinary action is taken against her,” the NBA said.
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“The photographing, dissemination, and online circulation of indecent images of Ms Emmanson is also an egregious invasion of privacy and a criminal act. Even if the incident was to be reported, the footage should have been blurred or edited in such a way that it did not expose her nudity to the public.
Those responsible for capturing and distributing the unedited footage must be identified and prosecuted. Such acts erode public trust and undermine the rights of all citizens to be treated with dignity and respect,” the NBA said.
“Consequently, the NBA demands that Ibom Air and AON immediately withdraw the lifetime ban, issue a public apology to Ms Emmanson, and cooperate fully with an impartial investigation into this incident.”
Ibom Air spokesperson, Anietie Essienette, did not respond to a call and a text message for comments at the time of filing this report.
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