The Federal Government has dropped its criminal case against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of disorderly conduct on an Ibom Air flight, and reduced the flight ban imposed on Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced the decisions on Wednesday after consultations with key aviation stakeholders. He said the resolutions followed a review of the incidents, appeals from respected individuals, and the display of remorse by those involved.
Ibom Air, according to the minister, has agreed to withdraw its complaint against Ms. Emmanson, who was arrested after an August 10 incident.
“When the Police took her statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct,” Keyamo noted. Following this, the Airport Command and the police prosecutor will work towards securing her release from Kirikiri Prison within the week. The Airline Operators of Nigeria has also agreed to lift the lifetime flight ban placed on her, with details to follow.
Regarding the ValueJet case involving KWAM 1, Keyamo disclosed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would cut the musician’s ban to one month.
He added that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) intends to engage him as an ambassador for airport security awareness. “Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA will withdraw its criminal complaint against KWAM 1,” the minister said.
The reduced one-month ban will also apply to ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, whose licenses will be restored after undergoing mandatory professional reappraisal.
Keyamo further revealed that a retreat will be held next week to retrain aviation security staff on handling disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations, while airlines will receive tailored sessions to address staff behaviour towards travellers.
He emphasised that the clemencies were granted purely on compassionate grounds, adding: “Government will never yield to base sentiments, politically motivated opinions, or flawed legal arguments where clear breaches of the law are concerned. However, we have chosen to draw a line after these acts of clemency.”
