A Nigerian lawyer, Barrister Asukwo Mendie Archibong, has criticised the handling of a recent altercation involving an Ibom Air female passenger, Comfort Emmanson, alleging that the airline’s actions amounted to human rights violations and reflected a troubling inconsistency in how similar incidents are addressed in the country’s aviation sector.
Archibong drew sharp comparisons between the violent treatment meted out to Ms. Emmanson and the non-violent responses in previous high-profile incidents involving public figures such as Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Fuji music star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (popularly known as Kwam 1.
Contrasting Incidents
In the Oshiomhole case, the former Edo State governor was reportedly involved in a dispute in terminal of the airport but was neither physically assaulted nor publicly humiliated. Similarly, when Kwam 1 was accused of misconduct onboard—an act punishable under Section 459A of Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act for obstructing an aircraft—he was handled with restraint and accorded dignity.
By contrast, Comfort Emmanson’s encounter with Ibom Air turned violent. Witnesses say she was forcefully restrained, stripped naked, and filmed by bystanders. Disturbingly, the footage later circulated on social media, a development the lawyer condemned as “grossly dehumanising and a violation of her right to dignity under the Nigerian Constitution.”
Vicarious Liability and False Imprisonment
Archibong emphasised that airline crew members are not legally empowered to arrest passengers, citing the principle of vicarious liability, where employers may be held responsible for wrongful acts committed by their employees in the course of duty.
“The act of an air hostess physically blocking the exit to prevent a passenger from leaving constitutes false imprisonment,” he stated. “If there was an issue of misconduct, due process should have been followed by alerting security personnel on ground—not by physically assaulting a passenger.”
Trigger and Legal Context
While acknowledging that Ms. Emmanson reportedly yelled, slapped, and exchanged words with airline staff—a possible misdemeanor under Nigerian law—Archibong noted that Ibom Air’s reaction was disproportionate.
“This was not a violent hijacking scenario,” he said. “It was a case that could have been de-escalated professionally. Calling it a ‘citizen’s arrest’ does not give licence to violate a person’s fundamental rights.”
A Pattern of Conflict in Nigerian Aviation
The lawyer further observed that Nigerian airlines have faced a string of publicised conflicts with passengers in recent months, raising concerns about staff training and crisis management.
“Ibom Air failed to exercise professionalism here,” Archibong concluded. “If the passenger had been the daughter of a prominent political leader, we would not be discussing this in the same way today. Airlines must apply rules fairly and without bias.”
Ibom Air has not yet issued a detailed public statement addressing the allegations of excessive force, humiliation, and the viral sharing of the victim’s images.
