The Federal Government has withdrawn its criminal complaint against Comfort Emmanson, accused of unruly behaviour aboard an Ibom Air flight and reduced the flight ban placed on Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate.
Minister of aviation and aerospace development Festus Keyamo announced the decisions on Wednesday after consultations with stakeholders.
According to the minister, the resolutions came after a review of the incidents, appeals from well-meaning individuals and the remorse shown by those involved.
Keyamo said Ibom Air has agreed to drop its complaint against Ms. Emmanson, who was arrested over the August 10 incident.
“When the Police took her statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct,” he said.
Following the withdrawal, the Airport Command and the police prosecutor will take steps to secure her release from Kirikiri Prison this week. The Airline Operators of Nigeria has also agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban placed on her, with details to be announced soon.
On the ValueJet incident involving K1, the minister said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will reduce his ban to one month, while the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will engage him as an ambassador for airport security protocols.
“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA will withdraw its criminal complaint against KWAM 1,” Keyamo stated.
The one-month ban will also apply to ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, whose licenses will be restored after a mandatory professional reappraisal.
Keyamo added that a retreat will be held next week to retrain aviation security personnel on managing disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations, while airlines will have dedicated sessions to address staff conduct towards travellers.
The minister stressed that the clemencies were granted purely on compassionate grounds.
“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,” he said.
Emmanson was removed from an Ibom Air flight from Lagos to Uyo after refusing to turn off her phone as instructed by crew members. The situation escalated when she struck a flight attendant, prompting the airline to impose a lifetime ban. She faced five charges including disorderly conduct and assault.
K1, on August 5, disrupted a ValueJet flight in Abuja after allegedly refusing to surrender a prohibited flask, pouring its contents on staff and obstructing the aircraft’s taxiing. The NCAA petitioned the police and the Inspector-General of Police ordered a probe.
The Nigerian Bar Association had condemned Emmanson’s treatment, describing her forcible removal and the viral video showing her shirt torn as a gross human rights violation.
