By Atoyebi Nike
Human rights activist Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen has called for the immediate release of Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre after an in-flight altercation, warning that the criminal charges against her “will not see the light of day.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Agberen urged Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Festus Keyamo (SAN) to intervene and ensure Emmanson’s release while also providing her with necessary assistance. He accused the airline and its staff of unprofessional conduct and criticized what he described as Nigeria’s “selective justice” system.
“It has been the habit of the judiciary to focus on minor offences while public fund looters move freely,” Agberen said, adding that Emmanson became “the victim” the moment the crew refused to let her disembark.
The controversy began on August 10 when videos emerged showing Emmanson slapping and kicking airline and airport officials after she allegedly refused repeated instructions to switch off her phone before takeoff on flight IAN513 from Uyo to Lagos. Upon arrival, she reportedly assaulted a female crew member and was arrested, arraigned, and remanded for failing to provide sureties.
The incident sparked comparisons to an August 5 disruption involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde (Kwam 1) aboard a ValueJet flight, which did not lead to court action. Addressing the public outcry, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said the two incidents were not comparable.
“In Kwam 1’s case, the airline didn’t activate its right to prosecute, so we petitioned the authorities,” said Mike Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, on Channels Television. “In Ibom Air’s case, the airline immediately went to court because their staff was assaulted.”
Achimugu confirmed that Emmanson is now on a lifetime no-fly list, adding that airlines have the legal authority to impose such bans. He appealed to passengers who witnessed the events to come forward with their accounts to ensure “justice and fairness for all parties involved.”
NCAA officials are set to conduct a fact-finding mission in Lagos, engaging with the police and other agencies involved in the case. Achimugu stressed that the episode should serve as a lesson for passengers, airline staff, and aviation security to close gaps in existing protocols.
“In aviation, it is safety first, safety second, and safety third,” he said.
