The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, says he has conferred with Ibom Air to withdraw its case against one of its ‘’unruly” passenger, Comfort Emmanson, paving the way for her release from Kirikiri prison.
In a statement released this morning August 13, Keyamo also disclosed that he has appealed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria AON to rescind its life-ban sanction imposed on Emmanson.
He also mentioned that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will cut the indefinite no-flight ban placed on Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, to one month and that the singer will now be made an ambassador for airport security protocol. According to him, the decision follows consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector over recent incidents involving unruly behaviour at airports.
He also added that the NCAA will restore the licenses of pilots involved in the KWAM 1 case after they complete a month-long suspension and mandatory professional reappraisal.
According to Keyamo, Emmanson, who was arrested after an incident aboard an Ibom Air flight on August 10, 2025, showed “great remorse” during police questioning in the presence of her lawyer. He said the withdrawal of Ibom Air’s complaint would allow the police to complete the process for her release from Kirikiri Prison this week.
‘’1. In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent.
2. Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.
3. As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and those available to the public. It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.
5. Therefore, after reviewing the entire incidents, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors, the following decisions have been reached:
THE CASE OF IBOM AIRLINE AND MS. COMFORT EMMANSON
(a) In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against her today. When the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.
(b) Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.
(c) I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.
THE CASE OF VALUEJET AND WASIU AYINDE MARSHALL (KWAM 1)
(d) In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
(e) Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.
(f) In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA.
AIRLINE OPERATORS, AVIATION AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
6. I have directed all relevant Aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation to IMMEDIATELY begin a retreat NEXT WEEK to properly retrain and prepare our Aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations. The retreat will be fully covered by the Press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.
7. The Airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public will be in full focus.
FINAL COMMENTS
8. These above decisions were taken by Government and the airline operators purely on COMPASSIONATE grounds as Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.
9. We are also sending a CLEAR MESSAGE that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.
FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK)
Wednesday, August 13, 2025”
