Breaking: FG Orders Withdrawal Of Case Against Ibom Air Passenger
The Federal Government has ordered that the case against Comfort Emmanson on an Ibom Air flight on August 10, 2025 be withdrawn.
The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN) who gave the directive, also said Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had lifted the life-time flying ban imposed on Emmanson after his appeal.
The development came after Emmason was remanded in Kirikiri prison following the incident.
Reports showed that the passenger was forcibly taken off the plane at the Murtala Muhammad Airport, Lagos after she allegedly assaulted an air hostess.
Meanwhile, Civil societies, the public, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have condemned Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria for their handling of the ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba will have their licences restored after a one-month suspension, contingent on completing a mandatory professional re-appraisal, the NCAA confirmed.
In Ms. Emmanson’s case, Ibom Air agreed to withdraw its complaint after the passenger expressed remorse in a statement given to police in the presence of her lawyer. The minister confirmed that the Commissioner of Police for the Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor would facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons this week.
Keyamo also disclosed that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban imposed on her, with full details to be announced by the association.
Keyamo directed aviation agencies, in collaboration with other relevant government bodies, to commence a retreat next week aimed at retraining aviation security personnel on managing disruptive passengers and defusing tense situations. Airlines will also hold separate sessions focusing on staff conduct towards passengers.
The minister stressed that the decisions were taken on compassionate grounds and should not be interpreted as political or sentimental. “We take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and have decided to draw a line after these clemencies,” he said.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
