12/98/25
PRESS RELEASE
ELIZA DD
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Kayemo has Ordered Sanctions Against Ibom Airline Staff Over Release of Indecent Video of Emmanson
Keyamo’s directives is following the recent incident involving Miss Comfort Bob Emmanson, the Passenger captured in viral videos assaulting an Ibom Air Cabin Crew Member and clashing with Airport officials.
While the Minister acknowledged that the passenger’s unruly conduct has no place in civil aviation, Keyamo condemned the release of a video showing indecent exposure, which he said was aimed at ridiculing her.
Keyamo further instructed Airlines to intensify training in public relations and conflict management to de-escalate potentially volatile situations before they spiral out of control.
He also announced a joint security meeting between relevant aviation and law enforcement agencies next week to strengthen coordination during incidents of this nature.
The Minister reminded passengers that the Consumer Protection Directorate of the NCAA offers official channels for addressing grievances and warned against taking the law into one’s own hands, noting that such actions carry severe consequences. He stressed that sanctions ranging from lengthy flight bans to referrals to law enforcement would continue to apply to unruly passengers.
Keyamo disclosed that he had engaged with top aviation and security officials, including the Commissioner of Police for the Airport Police Command, the Director-General of NCAA, the Managing Director of FAAN, and the Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, to address the matter.
The incident occurred on Sunday aboard Ibom Air Flight Q153 from Uyo to Lagos at about 14:54 hours. According to the airline, the confrontation began after the passenger refused to switch off her phone during take-off, in violation of International Civil Aviation Regulations.
Following the incident, the NCAA imposed an indefinite domestic and international flight ban on Emmanson. On Monday morning, the Police arraigned her before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on criminal charges. She was remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Facility after failing to meet bail conditions.
Meanwhile Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised what he describes as Nigeria’s “two-faced justice system” following the detention of Miss Comfort Emmanson, the passenger involved in the recent Ibom Air in-flight incident.
In a statement on X on Monday, Obi apologised to the airline’s crew allegedly assaulted by Emmanson, but condemned her public humiliation, speedy arraignment, and remand in custody, calling the process “dehumanising” and a glaring example of bias in law enforcement.
The former Anambra governor contrasted her treatment with that of another passenger accused of delaying a flight and endangering hundreds of lives, who he said has neither been arrested nor charged, but is instead enjoying political protection.
He accused security agencies of selective enforcement, particularly against women and the less privileged, while shielding politically connected offenders.
Obi called on the Minister of Aviation and other authorities to explain the disparity in handling the two incidents, warning that unequal justice undermines public trust in democracy.
Dara Network TV 