Wednesday, August 13, 2025 - The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, says he has conferred with Ibom Air to withdraw its case against one of its ‘’unruly'' passenger, Comfort Emmanson, paving the way for her release from Kirikiri prison.
In a statement released this morning August 13, Keyamo also disclosed that
he has appealed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria AON to rescind its life-ban
sanction imposed on Emmanson.
He also mentioned that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will
cut the indefinite no-flight ban placed on Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde,
popularly known as KWAM 1, to one month and that the singer will now be made an
ambassador for airport security protocol. According to him, the decision
follows consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector over recent
incidents involving unruly behaviour at airports.
He also added that the NCAA will restore the licenses of pilots involved
in the KWAM 1 case after they complete a month-long suspension and mandatory
professional reappraisal.
According to Keyamo, Emmanson, who was arrested after an incident aboard
an Ibom Air flight on August 10, 2025, showed “great remorse” during police
questioning in the presence of her lawyer. He said the withdrawal of Ibom Air’s
complaint would allow the police to complete the process for her release from
Kirikiri Prison this week.
His statement reads
‘’1. In the last 48 hours, I have
been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and
those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of
certain individuals at our airports of recent.
2. Though regrettable, we think
valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport
security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling
public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public
awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.
3. As highlighted in my previous
statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the
offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence
available to us and those available to the public. It is clear that all the
actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to
them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.
5. Therefore, after reviewing the
entire incidents, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and
remorse shown by the actors, the following decisions have been reached:
THE CASE OF IBOM AIRLINE AND MS.
COMFORT EMMANSON
(a) In the case of the unruly
passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of
August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint
against her today. When the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer,
she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.
(b) Subsequent to the withdrawal
of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police
Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release
from Kirikiri Prisons within this week
(c) I have also conferred with
the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to
them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The
details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.
THE CASE OF VALUEJET AND WASIU
AYINDE MARSHALL (KWAM 1)
(d) In the case of KWAM 1, the
NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work
with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper
airport security protocol going forward.
(e) Having publicly demonstrated
penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1
earlier lodged with the Police.
(f) In the case of Captain
Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the
NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after
undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be
announced by the NCAA.
AIRLINE OPERATORS, AVIATION AND
OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
6. I have directed all relevant
Aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside
aviation to IMMEDIATELY begin a retreat NEXT WEEK to properly retrain and
prepare our Aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive
passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations. The retreat
will be fully covered by the Press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant
questions.
7. The Airlines will also have
their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members
of the travelling public will be in full focus.
FINAL COMMENTS
8. These above decisions were
taken by Government and the airline operators purely on COMPASSIONATE grounds
as Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views
or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.
9. We are also sending a CLEAR
MESSAGE that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously
and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.
FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN, CON, FCIArb
(UK)
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