NIGERIA: Court Discharges Comfort, Ibom Air Passenger

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

An Ikeja Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Lagos State, on Wednesday, has discharged Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour and assault aboard an Ibom Air flight.

Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami discharged Emmanson following the withdrawal of the five charges preferred against her by the police.

The decision came after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced that the government and airline operators had agreed to drop criminal complaints against her.

Keyamo said the resolutions were reached “after reviewing the incidents, considering appeals from well-meaning individuals, and considering the remorse shown by those involved.”

He added in a statement he released earlier today that: “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 the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.”

Following the withdrawal, the Airline Operators of Nigeria have also agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban previously imposed on her.

The minister further announced that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had reduced the flight ban on Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1) to one month and would withdraw its criminal complaint against him.

Keyamo added that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria would work with the music star “with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.”

Keyamo emphasised that while the decisions were taken on compassionate grounds, the government “will never pander to base sentiments, politically motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.”

He concluded, “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.”