Minister Halts the Storm, Orders Comfort Emmanson Release, Cites Compassionate Grounds.
By Raymond Enoch
In a decisive move aimed at calming tensions within Nigeria’s aviation sector, the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has ordered the withdrawal of criminal charges against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who had been detained following a disruptive incident aboard an Ibom Air flight on August 10, 2025.
The announcement came after 48 hours of consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation industry, including airline operators, security agencies, and legal advisers. In a press statement released on Wednesday, August 13, Keyamo said the government had chosen to act on compassionate grounds following remorse shown by those involved and appeals from well-meaning citizens.
According to the Minister, Emmanson, who had been remanded in Kirikiri Prisons, expressed deep regret during her police interview, which was conducted in the presence of her lawyer. Based on this, Ibom Air agreed to withdraw its complaint, paving the way for her immediate release. The Police Airport Command and Prosecutor have been directed to expedite the process.
In a further development, the Minister also confirmed that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), after direct engagement with his office, agreed to lift the lifetime ban earlier imposed on Emmanson. Details of the reinstatement are expected to be released by the AON in the coming days.
The Minister did not limit his statement to Emmanson’s case. He also addressed the widely publicized incident involving veteran Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, also known as KWAM 1, who was recently sanctioned over an altercation aboard a ValueJet flight. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), according to Keyamo, will now reduce KWAM 1’s flight ban to just one month.
Further softening of stance came with the announcement that all criminal complaints lodged against the music star would be withdrawn. Interestingly, the Minister revealed that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is exploring a collaboration with KWAM 1, potentially engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport conduct and protocol.
In a similar spirit of resolution, the Minister ordered that ValueJet pilots Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, previously suspended over the same incident, will have their licenses restored after a one-month suspension and mandatory professional reappraisal. The NCAA will announce specifics on their re-certification process shortly.
Acknowledging that both passengers and aviation staff had roles to play in the incidents, the Minister emphasized that the industry must learn from the episodes. “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,” he stated.
In response to growing concerns about handling of similar cases, Keyamo has directed all aviation-related agencies to embark on a sector-wide retreat starting next week. The focus of the retreat will be retraining aviation security personnel on de-escalation strategies and proper engagement with disruptive passengers. The sessions will be open to media coverage for transparency.
Airline staff will also undergo their own program focused on customer interaction, professionalism, and behavior toward the travelling public. The initiative aims to curb the rising spate of in-flight and airport altercations that have embarrassed the sector and triggered public debate.
While emphasizing that the actions taken were rooted in compassion and not political expediency, Keyamo warned that aviation safety remains a critical concern. “We are 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,” the statement concluded.
With these developments, the Federal Government appears to be walking a fine line — enforcing standards, offering forgiveness, and initiating reform — in an attempt to restore calm and credibility to Nigeria’s troubled aviation space.
