Ibom Air is facing mounting criticism and calls for investigation over its handling of a mid-flight altercation with a passenger, which ended with the female customer being stripped, forcibly removed from the aircraft, and slapped with a lifetime no-fly ban.
The treatment of Comfort Emmanson, 26, has sparked outrage, leading to accusations of heavy-handedness, selective justice, and human rights violations.
The incident occurred on Monday, aboard an Uyo–Lagos flight when crew instructed Emmanson to switch off her mobile phone. While the passenger insisted it was already in flight mode, a dispute escalated.
According to the airline, Emmanson assaulted crew members, stepping on a purser, pulling off her wig and glasses, and attempting to seize a fire extinguisher.
On landing in Lagos, Emmanson was restrained by airline and ground personnel, and later forcibly removed, stripped in the process. She was later remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre after being arraigned at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for criminal offences.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo backed the action against Emmanson, warning that unruly behaviour will be met with “lengthy flight bans” and full law enforcement measures.
“We will continue to apply equal sanctions available to us in aviation on any such erring passengers — that is lengthy flight bans — and report the matters to other law enforcement agencies to do their bit within their powers,” Keyamo said in a statement on X.
However, the minister condemned the leaking of footage showing Emmanson partially naked.
“Whilst we support the filming of her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence to prosecute her, what is deplorable is to release such evidence containing indecent exposure to the public to ridicule her. That is totally unacceptable to us,” he stated, adding that those responsible would be sanctioned.
“Heavy-Handed” Response
Many Nigerians initially backed the Uyo-based carrier over the incident which came just days after popular musician KWAM 1 disrupted a flight in Abuja, leading to calls for his punishment. The musician later apologised.
By Tuesday, after more details and videos of the incident surfaced, public sentiment shifted sharply against Ibom Air, with rights groups demanding an independent investigation and sanctions against airline staff. One footage appeared to show a flight attendant physically blocking Emmanson from leaving the aircraft, prompting accusations of false imprisonment.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemned Ibom Air’s handling of the situation, calling it “unlawful” and a “grave affront to human dignity.”
NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, said: “It is deeply disturbing that Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and subjected to humiliation that was filmed and circulated online. Such conduct violates her right to dignity and privacy… No person should be treated in such a dehumanising manner.”
The NBA argued that the lifetime ban lacked due process, stressing that only the statutory regulator — not a private association — has authority to impose such penalties. It has demanded a public apology, withdrawal of the ban, and cooperation with an “independent, impartial investigation,” pledging to represent Emmanson pro bono.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi also waded into the controversy, accusing authorities of double standards.
“Once again, this proves the truth of Anacharsis’ words that the law is like a spider’s web: it catches the weak, while the powerful break through with ease. What due process was followed overnight to reach this sanction? Why is there such lightning speed for the poor, yet endless delays when the powerful offend?”
Obi compared Emmanson’s treatment to those of other offenders, who recently caused airport disruptions but faced no prosecution. Kwam 1 and the Edo senator, Adams Oshiomhole, disrupted airport operations recently.
A lawyer, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, stressed that while compliance with crew instructions is mandatory, enforcement must respect legal safeguards.
“It is difficult to reconcile regulatory standards with public images of Ms. Emmanson being dragged and stripped almost naked. Enforcement must never be at the expense of human dignity,” she said.
Know More
Ibom Air, owned by the Akwa Ibom state government, posted a ₦6.8 billion net profit in 2024, bouncing back from an ₦8.7 billion loss in 2023. Revenue grew 43% to ₦96 billion, while operating profit surged to ₦16.6 billion.
The carrier is targeting ₦150 billion in revenue by the end of 2025, up from ₦96 billion last year, and it wants travel agents to help make it happen. The airline currently operates nine aircraft and serves seven destinations, including Accra, Ghana. It plans to expand to Malabo, Douala, and São Tomé, and begin flights from a newly completed terminal in Uyo, designed to serve as a major regional hub.
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