The Federal Government has withdrawn its criminal complaint against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour aboard an Ibom Air flight, paving the way for her release from prison and the lifting of her lifetime flight ban.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced the decision on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, after consultations with stakeholders and a review of the incident. He said the resolution followed “appeals from well-meaning individuals” and the “great remorse” Emmanson displayed during police questioning in the presence of her lawyer.
Emmanson was arrested on August 10, 2025, after she allegedly refused to switch off her phone as instructed by crew members on a Lagos-to-Uyo flight. The situation escalated when she reportedly struck a flight attendant, leading to her restraint and removal from the aircraft at Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
Ibom Air had initially imposed a lifetime ban on Emmanson, citing its zero-tolerance policy towards violent or disruptive behaviour. The Airline Operators of Nigeria has now agreed to lift the ban, with details to be announced soon.
Following the withdrawal of the government’s complaint, the Airport Command and police prosecutor will take steps to secure her release from Kirikiri Prison this week.
Keyamo stressed that the clemency was granted purely on compassionate grounds, while reiterating the government’s commitment to enforcing aviation safety and security laws. He also disclosed that a retreat will be held next week to retrain aviation security personnel on managing disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations, with airline staff conduct towards travellers also set for review.
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