*Reduces KWAM 1’s Travel Ban, To Appoint Him Airport Security Protocol Ambassador
*Witness Who Sat Beside Emmanson To Testify In NCAA Probe
FOLLOWING public outcry against her perceived dehumanising treatment by airport officials and posting of her indecent videos online, alleged bias and double standards, compared to earlier cases, and after a thorough review of the matter, the Federal Government has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the criminal case against alleged unruly passenger of an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday, August 10, Comfort Emmanson.
This came after Emmason was remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos State on Monday, August 11, following her hurried arraignment before an Ikeja Magistrates Court.
Emmanson had allegedly attacked a flight attendant and clashed with security operatives at the Uyo and Lagos airports.
In a related development, the Federal Government also directed the aviation regulator, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which had imposed an indefinite flight ban and filed a criminal complaint against him, as well as the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), to reduce their flight ban on another offender, musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, better known as KWAM 1.
KWAM 1 is also to be appointed an ambassador for airport security protocol.
Recall that the Fuji maestro attempted to block a taxing aircraft belonging to ValueJet at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday, August 5, following an arguement with officials after he refused to drop a flask he was holding at the point of boarding.
The musician was observed in viral footages standing in front of the aircraft and was alleged to have assaulted an airport official, leading to public condemnation and calls for his arrest and prosecution.
The musicianhas since offered an apology, admitted his fault and pleading for forgiveness from President Bola Tinubu (a close associate), Keyamo, the pilot, airline staff, passengers and his fans across the world.
He insisted that the flask contained water, and not alchohol, as being alleged, explainig that he poured water in the flask because of his health situation, as hge needs to be sipping water, as recommended by his doctor, because he is always dehydrated.
Keyamo had earlier criticised the circulation of the viral indecent video showing Emmanson’s torn shirt and her exposed upper body and ordered action against anyone who leaked the footage.
Her remand sparked public outrage, with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemning Ibom Air and AON for the manner in which the incident was handled.
In a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday, August 13, Keymao said parties involved in the incidents have learnt their lessons, while the incidents have raised public awareness of airport security protocols regarding travelling.
The minister, in a press statement, titled, ‘Decision to withdraw criminal complaint against Ms. Comfort Emmanson and to address related matters,’ stated: “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.”
According to him: “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.
“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.
“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.”
He continued: “In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period.
“FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.
“In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer, Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal.
“The details will be announced by the NCAA.”
Keyamo further stated that he had directed all relevant aviation agencies, in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation, to immediately begin a retreat next week to properly retrain and prepare the country’s aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to de-escalate potentially explosive situations.
The retreat will be fully covered by the Press, with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.
The airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public will be in full focus.
In conclusion, the minister said the above decisions were taken by government and the airline operators purely on “compassionate grounds, as government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.
“We are also sending a clear message that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously, and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.”
Meanwhile, the NCAA said a verified eyewitness has come forward to give a first-hand account of the altercation between Emmanson and an Ibom Air crew member, which led to the whole drama.
Its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, in an X post on Wednesday, following his earlier post on Tuesday, urging other passengers aboard the flight to come forward with verifiable accounts “in the interest of justice and fairness,” disclosed that the witness, who sat directly beside Emmanson during the flight, had contacted him, provided a boarding pass for verification and offered to testify in order to give new insight into events before the aircraft departed Uyo.
According to him: “The passenger seated right next to the lady in the viral videos has contacted me (also sent in his boarding pass) and given his account of the events that transpired on the aircraft before departure.
“Some aspects of his testimony offer an opportunity to look at other perspectives of this case, especially the behaviour of other actors involved and the manner of passenger handling before the flight took off.”
Achimugu stated that although the witness would release a personal statement later in the day, the NCAA had issued a Letter of Investigation to Ibom Air and would invite the airline and other eyewitnesses to a meeting.
He noted: “One is glad that a truly verifiable witness has come forward, and his statement makes me glad not to have listened to most of the fake audios and claims flying around social media.
“There is a lot to unbundle, and we will get to the root of it. Rest assured that every culpable party in this case will be held accountable.
“Every data gathered from conversations and investigations is to assist in identifying the gaps and fixing them. Mediation is an acceptable form of conflict resolution, and the minister has shown leadership as usual.
“The Authority will continue to protect the rights of all aviation consumers.”
