The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has explained why Comfort Emmanson, the female Ibom Air passenger who had an altercation with crew members was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre while Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, who was in a similar situation, does not face court action.
LEADERSHIP recalls that viral videos online showed Emmanson slapping and kicking airline and airport staff, including a female air hostess, after reportedly refusing repeated instructions to switch off her phone before take-off in Uyo.
She was eventually dragged off the aircraft by security personnel.
Her case came just a few days after KWAM 1 allegedly delayed ValueJet’s Abuja–Lagos service (Flight VK 201) on August 5, prompting similar public outrage.
Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ on Tuesday, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mike Achimugu, said the two cases were incomparable.
“It’s not a case of oranges and oranges,” Achimugu explained. “In KWAM 1’s case, the airline did not activate its right to take the passenger to court, so the NCAA petitioned the authorities. In Ibom Air’s case, because staff were assaulted, the airline immediately took legal action, and it went to court.”
Achimugu clarified that the NCAA was not directly involved in Emmanson’s prosecution.
Still, in KWAM 1’s case, the authority issued an advisory to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to place the musician on an indefinite ban pending investigations, clarifying that not a six-month ban as earlier reported.
On Emmanson’s no-fly life ban, Achimugu said airlines have the legal right to impose such penalties, stressing that flight disruptions are costly in a country with limited aircraft capacity.
“Any risk to an aircraft is unacceptable. If anything had happened to that plane yesterday, could she have afforded the cost?” he asked, adding that the disruption could have affected subsequent flights.
The NCAA spokesman assured that the Ibom Air case would be handled fairly, urging passengers to lodge grievances through proper channels rather than resorting to violence.
LEADERSHIP recalls that Achimugu took to X on Tuesday to invite passengers from the Ibom Air flight to share their eyewitness accounts, pledging to consider all sides before concluding investigations.
He said NCAA officials in Lagos will also conduct a fact-finding mission, meeting with police and other security agencies involved.
Achimugu said the incidents should be a learning experience for passengers, airline staff, and aviation security.
“It is a test for the system. No matter how good the regulations are, human behaviour will always be unpredictable. When these events occur, we identify gaps and close loopholes.”
