An Ikeja Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Lagos, on Wednesday discharged Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour and assault aboard an Ibom Air flight.
Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami struck out the five counts after the police withdrew the case, following consultations between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and key stakeholders in the aviation sector.
|
|
Mr Keyamo said the resolution came after reviewing the 10 August incident, considering appeals from well-meaning individuals, and noting the remorse shown by those involved.
He added that Ibom Air had agreed to drop its complaint, prompting the withdrawal application filed by prosecution counsel Oluwabunmi Adeitan.
|
|
|
|---|
At Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecution lawyer Oluwabunmi Adeitan informed the court of new developments and applied for the withdrawal of the case. The magistrate granted the application as requested and discharged Ms Emmanson.
Ms Emmanson, who was arraigned on Monday and granted bail of N500,000 with two sureties, had been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre after failing to meet the conditions.
Shortly after her release, Ms Emmanson took to her Instagram account to thank her supporters.
“Thank you so much for all the prayers, love, and support. I’ve been released from prison, but I’m still in pain due to how I was treated. I just need some rest and medical treatment before I give out my own version of the event. Thank you so much, my lovely friends and supporters. I really appreciate y’all from the bottom of my heart. God bless y’all. THANK YOU MY GREAT GOD!!!”
Why passenger was granted clemency
In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Keyamo said consultations in the past 48 hours revealed that “clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved” in recent incidents at Nigerian airports.
He said Ms Emmanson, in the presence of her lawyer, had expressed great remorse during her police statement.
Following the complaint withdrawal, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, and the prosecutor were to take immediate steps to secure her release from prison.
The minister also appealed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to lift the lifetime flying ban imposed on her, which he said the association agreed to do.
Mr Keyamo announced a retreat for aviation security personnel next week to train them on handling disruptive passengers and de-escalating conflicts. Airlines will also have sessions on staff conduct and passenger relations.
“These decisions were taken purely on compassionate grounds,” he said, adding that the government would not overlook future breaches of aviation safety and security.
Background
The 10 August flight from Uyo to Lagos sparked controversy after videos circulated online showing Ms Emmanson in a physical confrontation with a flight attendant.
Ibom Air alleged she assaulted crew members—stepping on the Purser, tearing off her wig, throwing her glasses to the floor, hitting staff with her footwear, and attempting to remove a fire extinguisher.
From the viral video, the Purser blocked her from exiting the aircraft until security arrived, after which she allegedly attacked security personnel.
Critics argued the airline’s response was excessive and humiliating, citing footage showing her clothing torn during footage.
FAAN condemned unruly passenger behaviour, while the AON imposed a no-fly ban across all member airlines. Ibom Air also reported the incident to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi condemned both the assault on airline staff and the degrading treatment of the passenger, calling for fairness and equality in justice.
Mr Keyamo separately ordered sanctions against Ibom Air officials who leaked the video footage, and directed improved training in public relations and conflict management.
However, Ibom Air has denied that the viral video exposing the alleged assault on Ms Emmanson was released by their staff.
The case follows other recent disputes in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1): FAAN accused the musician of misconduct for bringing a flask onboard a ValueJet flight.
He apologised, saying it contained water for a medical condition. The NCAA has called for his prosecution.
Also, Air Peace had accused Adams Oshiomhole of unruly behaviour that disrupted boarding at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, condemning it as unacceptable.
