The Federal Government has withdrawn its criminal case against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, a passenger accused of unruly conduct aboard an Ibom Air flight, and reduced the flight ban imposed on Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, made the announcement on Wednesday after consultations with key aviation stakeholders and a review of the incidents. He said the decisions were influenced by appeals from respected individuals and the display of remorse by those involved.
According to the minister, Ibom Air has agreed to drop its complaint against Ms. Emmanson, who was arrested following an August 10 incident in which she refused to switch off her phone, assaulted a flight attendant, and was removed from a Lagos–Uyo flight. After her arrest, she reportedly expressed deep remorse during police interrogation in the presence of her lawyer. The Airport Command and police prosecutor are expected to take steps to secure her release from Kirikiri Prison this week, while the Airline Operators of Nigeria will lift her lifetime flight ban, with further details to follow.
On the August 5 incident involving KWAM 1, Keyamo disclosed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will reduce his penalty to a one-month ban. The veteran musician had been sanctioned after causing a disruption at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, when he refused to surrender a prohibited flask believed to contain alcohol, poured its contents on crew and security personnel, and obstructed an aircraft’s movement on the tarmac. NCAA will also withdraw its criminal complaint against him, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) plans to engage him as an ambassador for airport security protocols.
The reduced ban will also apply to ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, who will regain their licenses after completing a mandatory professional reappraisal. Keyamo further announced that a retreat will be held next week to retrain aviation security personnel on handling disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations, while airlines will have dedicated sessions on improving staff conduct toward travellers.
Emphasising that the clemencies were granted solely on compassionate grounds, the minister maintained that the government remains committed to enforcing aviation laws. “We will never pander to base sentiments or politically motivated views when our laws are breached. However, we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies,” Keyamo stated.
