Withdrawal Of Charges, Flight Ban Lift ‘Not Justice’ For Ibom Air Passenger – Rights Group

A human rights advocacy group, Open Society on Justice Reform Project, has insisted that withdrawing criminal charges and lifting a lifetime flight ban against Ibom Air passenger, Ms Comfort Emmanson, is not sufficient compensation for what it described as “gross breaches” of her constitutional rights.

In a statement signed by its official, Sam Akpologun, the group was reacting to the announcement by the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), that Ms Emmanson would be released from custody and allowed to fly again.

Keyamo had disclosed that both Ms Emmanson and Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1), were cleared following incidents of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports, adding that consultations with aviation stakeholders informed the decision.

He also directed all aviation agencies to hold a retreat to retrain airport security personnel on handling disruptive passengers and de-escalating conflicts.

The group, however, argued that this did not remedy the violations of Ms Emmanson’s rights under Chapter IV of the Constitution, citing Section 34 which guarantees the right to dignity.

It alleged that Ibom Air staff unlawfully detained, humiliated, and manhandled her, and that her nude images were later circulated online.

According to Akpologun, “It is now evident that the provocation came from a flight attendant who removed her wig, seized and smashed her phone, and physically blocked her from disembarking after the flight.”

The group further claimed that her rights under Section 41 (freedom of movement) and Section 36 (fair hearing) were violated when she was prevented from leaving the aircraft and banned for life without being given a chance to defend herself.

While noting the Minister’s acknowledgement that “clear wrongs were committed by both offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved,” the group faulted the lack of disciplinary action against the crew member at the centre of the dispute.

Akpologun stated, “The withdrawal of criminal charges and the lifting of the ban are acts of clemency; they are not justice. Justice requires acknowledgement of wrongdoing, restitution, and deterrence.”

The group demanded public acknowledgement of the rights breaches by Ibom Air and the Ministry of Aviation, disciplinary action against the accused flight attendant, compensation to Ms Emmanson for unlawful detention and reputational damage, and a review of airline disciplinary processes to align with constitutional rights.

It stressed that “the Constitution is not suspended at the airport gate or on board an aircraft” and that no regulation allows airline staff to punish passengers without due process, adding that public confidence in aviation safety must not come at the expense of dignity, liberty, and fairness.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.

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