The Federal Government has directed the withdrawal of the case against Comfort Emmanson, the passenger involved in an incident aboard an Ibom Air flight on August 10, 2025.
The decision was announced on Wednesday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, following consultations with key aviation stakeholders and parties connected to recent unruly passenger incidents at Nigerian airports.
Emmanson had been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos after allegedly assaulting a flight attendant and clashing with security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed Airport. She was arraigned before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Monday but failed to provide adequate sureties for bail.
The case sparked public outrage, especially after a viral video showed her in a distressed state with her clothing torn, exposing her upper body. The Nigerian Bar Association and several civil society groups condemned both Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) for what they described as an unfair handling of the matter.
Keyamo, who earlier condemned the actions of both the passenger and airline staff, also criticised the release of the indecent footage and ordered action against those responsible for leaking it.
On Wednesday, the minister said both sides had learned valuable lessons from the incident, which he noted had drawn national attention to proper airport security protocol.
“In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in these unfortunate incidents. Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides,” Keyamo stated.
He added that after appeals from well-meaning individuals and a show of remorse from Emmanson, he prevailed on Ibom Air to withdraw its complaint. Following the withdrawal, the Police and the Airport Command are expected to take immediate steps to secure Emmanson’s release from Kirikiri prison this week.
Keyamo also confirmed that the AON had agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban earlier imposed on her, with further details to be announced by the association.
