The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN) has directed Ibom Air to withdraw the criminal charge against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who was involved in a face-off with the crew members of the airline.
The minister also said the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had lifted the life-time flying ban imposed on Emmanson after his appeal.
The minister disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday while giving updates on the two separate matters involving Emmanson and popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayide Marshal popularly known as KWAM 1.
Emmanson was involved in an altercation with an air hostess during a flight from Uyo to Lagos flight on Sunday. Several footages on various social media platforms showed the passenger assaulting the crew member, while in the process of bundling her out of the plane, sensitive parts of her body were exposed.
She was later arraigned and remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, as the AON slammed a life ban on her.
However, her case had drawn the attention of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and civil society organisations who insisted she was not fairly treated.
Keyamo said though regrettable, valuable lessons had been learnt from the two incidents.
He said, “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.
“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 the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.
“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.
“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.”
