The Federal Government has dropped its criminal case against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, accused of disruptive behaviour on an Ibom Air flight, and reduced the suspension placed on Fuji icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, better known as KWAM 1.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, disclosed the decisions on Wednesday after consultations with aviation stakeholders.
Keyamo said the resolutions followed a review of the incidents, interventions from concerned parties, and remorse shown by those involved. Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint against Ms. Emmanson, who was detained over an in-flight disturbance on August 10.
“When the Police took her statement in the presence of her lawyer, she expressed deep regret for her actions,” the minister said.
Arrangements are now underway for the Airport Command and police prosecutor to secure her release from Kirikiri Prison this week. The Airline Operators of Nigeria has also agreed to lift her lifetime flight ban, with details to be announced later.
On KWAM 1’s case involving ValueJet, the minister revealed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has cut his suspension to one month. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will also appoint him as an ambassador for airport security awareness.
“Having shown public contrition, the NCAA will also drop its criminal complaint against KWAM 1,” Keyamo stated.
The reduced ban applies as well to ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, whose licences will be reinstated after undergoing a professional reappraisal.
Keyamo added that a retreat will be held next week to retrain aviation security staff on handling unruly passengers and defusing tense situations, with airlines attending sessions on proper staff–passenger relations.
He emphasised that the clemencies were granted on compassionate grounds, noting: “Government will never yield to base sentiments, political pressures, or flawed legal arguments when the law is breached. These pardons mark a clear line going forward.”
