Real estate consultant Comfort Emmanson has explained her side of the controversial incident that led to her removal from an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos.
In a video message, the passenger thanked God and those who stood by her.
“I want to come out fully to appreciate God Almighty and everyone that stood by me, that fought for me when I was in prison. When I came out, the love I saw, the support I got from people, I was never expecting it.
“For a commoner like me, you fought for me, you stood by me. I want to appreciate you all. God Almighty will bless you.”
Recounting what happened on the flight of August 10, she said a flight attendant named Juliana ordered her to switch off her phones.
“I told her that one of my phones… was faulty, the power button was bad, so I showed her that the power button was bad. She said I could put off my phone without the power button. She said I should go to my settings… go to general.”
With the help of a fellow passenger she eventually switched off the devices but said the attendant mocked her with comments like “children of nowadays” and later warned her: “You will see.”
On arrival in Lagos, Emmanson said she was in a hurry to use the restroom but Juliana blocked her from disembarking.
“That was when I put my phone on and started recording. I was just like ‘please madam, leave’. But she didn’t answer me. She ignored me.”
Things turned violent when the attendant allegedly pushed her, dragging off her wig frontal, tearing her clothes, breaking her necklace and phone.
“Due to the pain of doing that to me, I went to poke her. God knows that I can never go and poke an elderly woman. Somebody that is old enough to be my mum. It was the pain she inflicted on me that made me poke her.”
She said security then dragged her off the plane while cameras rolled.
“My body outside, my naked body outside plus the pain. It was so much for one person to bear.
“The trauma is too much on me right now… I cannot even go out again because my body is out there. I am ashamed… Some people have even used the video to make stickers.”
The consultant worried about the effect on her business.
“Imagine me going to sell a house… How do I even face them knowing that my body is out there? How do I even go for business? How about my reputation?”
She added that she delayed speaking because she was undergoing treatment.
“The reason why I had not come out to say my part of the story is because I was still on treatment… People are even making mockery of me… my body is out there… It is so embarrassing.”
Ibom Air claimed Emmanson became unruly, assaulted a crew member, and attempted to use a fire extinguisher. The airline banned her from flying with them and submitted a report to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Emmanson was arraigned for unruly conduct, assault and damage to property. She was remanded in Kirikiri Prison before all charges were dropped and she was eventually released.
NCAA spokesman Michael Achimugu said: “When cabin crew ask you to turn off your phone before takeoff or landing, simply comply.” He called for witnesses to come forward.
The Nigerian Bar Association described her treatment as reckless and demanded that the travel ban be lifted, a public apology issued, and an impartial probe conducted.
Aviation minister Festus Keyamo also condemned the circulation of the video, calling it “deplorable” and ordering airlines to improve public relations training for staff.
Emmanson has denied filing a N500 billion suit against the airline but said she is consulting lawyers about possible legal action.
Her swift prosecution compared with the softer treatment of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde after a separate aviation incident sparked debates online about selective justice.
Politicians and activists including Peter Obi and Aisha Yesufu argued that the case exposes inequality before the law.
