Keyamo orders release of Ibom Air passenger after airline withdraws complaint
Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has announced that Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour onboard an Ibom Air flight, will be released from Kirikiri prison this week following the withdrawal of a complaint by the airline.
In a statement on X, Keyamo said the decision came after consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector, leading to the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON) agreeing to lift the lifetime ban earlier imposed on her.
“After 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,” Keyamo said.
“I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the lifetime flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed.”
Keyamo added that Emmanson, when questioned by police in the presence of her lawyer, showed “great remorse” for her conduct.
The August 10 incident began shortly before takeoff from Uyo when the passenger allegedly refused to comply with safety procedures requiring her to switch off her mobile phone, according to Ibom Air. Video clips shared on X showed her assaulting a flight attendant and confronting airport security officials.
Following the altercation, Ibom Air imposed a travel restriction on Emmanson, while the AON placed her on its “no-fly” list for life, calling it “one of the most severe cases of unruly behaviour witnessed this year.”
Keyamo said further details of the resolution will be released by AON.
Ibom Air’s account of the incident
According to the airline, shortly before take-off from Uyo, “Ms. Emmanson was instructed in line with standard aviation safety procedures, to switch off her mobile phone”.
“She bluntly refused to comply until the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement, after which a fellow passenger seated beside her took the phone and switched it off,” Ibom Air said.
“This action prompted a verbal tirade from Ms. Emmanson. The situation was eventually calmed, and the flight departed as scheduled.
