The Federal Government has dropped its criminal case against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, accused of unruly conduct aboard an Ibom Air flight, and reduced the flight ban imposed on Fuji music star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal popularly known as KWAM 1.
Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced the decisions on Wednesday after consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector.
He explained that the resolutions followed a review of the incidents, appeals from concerned individuals, and the remorse expressed by the parties involved.
Keyamo further disclosed that Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint against Ms. Emmanson, who was arrested in connection with 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With the complaint withdrawn, the Airport Command and police prosecutor are set to initiate steps for Ms. Emmanson’s release from Kirikiri Prison this week. The Airline Operators of Nigeria has also consented to lift the lifetime flight ban imposed on her, with further details to be announced shortly.
On the ValueJet case involving KWAM 1, the minister revealed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority will reduce his ban to one month while FAAN intends to engage the Fuji star as an ambassador for airport security protocols.
“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA will withdraw its criminal complaint against KWAM 1,” Keyamo stated.
The one-month ban will also cover ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, whose licenses will be reinstated after undergoing a mandatory professional reappraisal.
Keyamo further announced that a retreat will take place next week to retrain aviation security personnel on handling disruptive passengers and defusing tense situations. Airlines will likewise participate in dedicated sessions aimed at improving staff conduct towards travellers.
He emphasized that the clemencies were granted solely on compassionate grounds, adding:
“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.”
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Ms. Emmanson was taken off an Ibom Air flight from Lagos to Uyo after defying crew instructions to turn off her phone.
The incident escalated when she became physically aggressive, hitting a flight attendant, before being restrained and escorted off the aircraft at Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
Ibom Air subsequently issued a lifetime ban on Ms. Emmanson from both domestic and international flights, citing its zero-tolerance policy toward violent or disruptive conduct.
Meanwhile, On August 5, 2025, KWAM 1 triggered a major disruption at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after he attempted to board a ValueJet flight with a flask suspected to contain alcohol, an item prohibited on domestic flights.
When asked by staff to surrender the flask, he allegedly refused, poured its contents on crew and security personnel, and proceeded onto the tarmac, obstructing the aircraft’s taxiing and delaying the flight’s safe operation.
The NCAA subsequently petitioned the police, prompting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to order an immediate investigation to fully establish the circumstances of the incident in line with aviation safety regulations.
