General News of Wednesday, 13 August 2025

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Unruly Ibom Air passenger remorseful, case to be withdrawn - Keyamo

Emmanson slapping a flight attendant Emmanson slapping a flight attendant

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has said Comfort Emmanson, who displayed an unruly conduct onboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo-Lagos, has shown remorse.

He also revealed that he has conferred Ibom Air to drop the charges against the passenger who is currently in Kirikiri prison on the order of a court.

Keyamo also prevailed to ensure that the life ban imposed on Emmanson is lifted.

He said in a statement, "In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent.

"Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.

"As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and those available to the public. It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.

"Therefore, after reviewing the entire incidents, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors, the following decisions have been reached:

"In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against her today. When the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.

"(b) Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.

"(c) I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently."

ASA