The Federal Government has withdrawn its criminal case against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, accused of misconduct aboard an Ibom Air flight, and has also reduced the flight suspension placed 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 aviation industry stakeholders.
According to Keyamo, the decisions were reached after reviewing the incidents, taking into account appeals from concerned individuals, and noting the remorse shown by those involved.
Ibom Air has agreed to drop its complaint against Ms. Emmanson, who was arrested on August 10 over an in-flight altercation. “When the Police took her statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct,” the minister said.
Following the withdrawal of the case, arrangements are being made by the Airport Command and police prosecutor to secure her release from Kirikiri Prison this week. The Airline Operators of Nigeria has also consented to lift the lifetime ban previously placed on her, with further details expected soon.
ALSO READ
On KWAM 1’s case involving ValueJet, Keyamo revealed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will cut his ban to one month. The musician will also be engaged by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as an ambassador for airport security awareness. “Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA will withdraw its criminal complaint against KWAM 1,” Keyamo added.
The reduced one-month ban also applies to ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, whose licenses will be reinstated after undergoing a mandatory professional reappraisal.
A retreat is scheduled for next week to retrain aviation security officers on handling unruly passengers and de-escalating tense situations, while airlines will have sessions on improving staff-customer relations.
Keyamo emphasised that the pardons were granted strictly on compassionate grounds, stating: “Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws is involved. We have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.”
Ms. Emmanson’s case stemmed from her refusal to switch off her phone on an Ibom Air flight from Lagos to Uyo, which escalated into a physical confrontation with a flight attendant. This led to her removal from the aircraft at Murtala Mohammed International Airport and a lifetime flight ban.
Meanwhile, on August 5, KWAM 1 allegedly disrupted a ValueJet flight at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by refusing to surrender a prohibited flask believed to contain alcohol. He was accused of pouring its contents on airline and security personnel before stepping onto the tarmac, delaying the flight’s departure.
The NCAA petitioned the police, and the Inspector-General of Police ordered an immediate investigation into the incident in line with aviation safety regulations.
