The Federal Government has dropped its criminal complaint against Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behavior on an Ibom Air flight.
The government also reduced the flight ban previously imposed on Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as KWAM 1.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) announced the decisions after consulting with aviation stakeholders.
The resolutions were reached after reviewing both incidents, considering appeals from the public, and noting the remorse shown by both individuals.
Keyamo added that Ibom Air agreed to withdraw its complaint against Emmanson, who was arrested following the August 10 incident.
“When the Police took her statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct,” he stated.
Following the withdrawal, the Airport Command and the police prosecutor will take steps to secure her release from Kirikiri Prison this week. The Airline Operators of Nigeria has also agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban placed on her, with details to be announced soon.
On the ValueJet incident involving KWAM 1, the minister disclosed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority will reduce his ban to one month. FAAN also plans to engage the musician as an ambassador for airport security protocols.
“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA will withdraw its criminal complaint against KWAM 1,” Keyamo also stated.
The one-month ban will also apply to ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, whose licenses will be restored after mandatory professional reappraisal.
Keyamo announced that a retreat will be held next week to retrain aviation security personnel on managing disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations. Airlines will also have dedicated sessions to address staff conduct towards travellers.
The minister stressed that the clemencies were granted purely 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.”
Persecondnews reported that on Sunday, August 10, 2025, Emmanson was forcibly removed from an Ibom Air flight from Lagos to Uyo after refusing to turn off her phone as instructed by crew members.
The situation escalated when Emmanson became physically aggressive, striking a flight attendant.
She was ultimately restrained and escorted off the aircraft at Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
In response, Ibom Air imposed a lifetime ban on her from both local and international flights, citing its zero-tolerance policy for violent or disruptive behaviour.
In a separate incident on August 5, 2025, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) caused a significant disruption at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
He attempted to board a ValueJet flight with a flask believed to contain alcohol, an item prohibited on domestic flights.
When asked to surrender the flask, he allegedly refused, pouring its contents on crew and security personnel.
He then moved onto the tarmac, obstructing the aircraft’s taxiing and delaying the flight’s safe operation.
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