The Federal Government has withdrawn its criminal case against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, accused of unruly behaviour on an Ibom Air flight, and reduced the flight ban imposed on Fuji legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1).
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced the decisions on Wednesday after consultations with aviation stakeholders. He said the resolutions followed a review of the incidents, appeals from well-meaning individuals, and the remorse shown by those involved.
Keyamo disclosed that Ibom Air has agreed to drop its complaint against Ms. Emmanson, who was arrested over the August 10 incident. “When the Police took her statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct,” he said.
With the withdrawal, the Airport Command and police prosecutor will move to secure her release from Kirikiri Prison this week. The Airline Operators of Nigeria will also lift the lifetime flight ban placed on her, with details to be announced soon.
On the ValueJet incident involving KWAM 1, Keyamo revealed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will cut his ban to one month. FAAN will also engage the musician as an ambassador for airport security protocols.
“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA will withdraw its criminal complaint against KWAM 1,” the minister said.
The one-month suspension also applies to ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, who will have their licences restored after a mandatory professional reappraisal.
Keyamo added that a retreat will be held next week to retrain aviation security personnel on handling disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations, with airlines also set to address staff conduct towards travellers.
He stressed that the clemencies were granted on compassionate grounds, noting:
“Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws is involved. We have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.”
