2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised what he described as “double standards” and “selective justice” in the handling of an Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson.
In a post on X on Monday, Mr Obi apologised to the Ibom Air crew members assaulted by Emmanson but also condemned the “dehumanising” treatment of the passenger.
“The unfortunate and dishonourable drama witnessed in Ibom Air has again brought to the fore the double standards in our lives and the inadequacies of our various security operatives in acting decently and in a civilised manner,” Obi wrote.
He noted that while Emmanson was “hurriedly taken to court and remanded,” another passenger who “held a plane from taking off and put hundreds of lives at risk” had not been arrested or arraigned, with some state officials calling for him to be forgiven.
Obi argued that the young woman’s offence did not compare to the crimes committed daily by “those parading themselves as ‘excellencies’ while looting public funds without consequence.”
“We must end this selective treatment of the poor or less privileged. If justice must be served, it should be served to all, and it must be served fairly,” he added, calling on the minister of aviation and other authorities to explain the alleged double standards.
Obi’s statement comes after the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) announced a lifetime no-fly ban on Emmanson for what it described as “one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour” in recent times.
The incident, which occurred on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday, began when Emmanson refused to switch off her phone before take-off.
Upon arrival in Lagos, she attacked crew members, tore a flight attendant’s wig, slapped her multiple times and attempted to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon.
Ibom Air said security officials had to forcibly restrain and remove her from the aircraft.
She was later charged in court and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.
The AON warned that similar behaviour would attract the same punishment in future and urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to tighten airport security measures.
The drama unfolded days after separate incidents involving Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who were accused of unruly behaviour towards airline staff.
