UPDATED: IBOM AIR PASSENGER, COMFORT EMMANSON RELEASED FROM KIRIKIRI CORRECTIONAL CENTRE (PHOTOS)
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By: Sefiu Ajape
The Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, previously remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over alleged unruly conduct during a flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday, has been released.
Her release followed the withdrawal of the five-count charge filed against her, which led Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami of the Ikeja Magistrate Court to strike out the case on Wednesday.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), confirmed her release to Channels Television on Wednesday.
“Emmanson has gone home from the court. I can confirm that,” he stated.
Emmanson had been accused of assaulting a flight attendant and confronting security officials upon arrival at the Lagos airport last Sunday. Following the incident, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) imposed a lifetime no-fly ban on her.
She was arraigned on Monday on criminal charges and remanded after failing to meet bail conditions, including the provision of adequate sureties.
Keyamo, in a statement on Wednesday, said the withdrawal of charges came after consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector and those directly involved in what he described as “the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent.”
While condemning Emmanson’s conduct, the minister also criticised the circulation of a viral video showing her partially exposed, which he described as indecent. He disclosed that he had directed appropriate action against Ibom Air officials responsible for leaking the footage.
The arrest and detention of Emmanson triggered strong reactions from civil society groups, members of the public, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), all of whom condemned the actions of Ibom Air and AON, accusing them of mishandling the situation.
In a shift of tone on Wednesday, Keyamo stated that all parties involved had “learnt their lessons,” adding that the incident had also helped raise public awareness about airport security protocols and appropriate conduct while travelling.
Following deliberations, “including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors”, Keyamo said he had prevailed on Ibom Airline to withdraw the complaint against Emmanson.
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“In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, August 10, 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.
“I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the lifetime flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by AON subsequently,” the minister’s statement partly read.
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