
An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has freed Miss Comfort Emmanson of charges relating to unruly behaviour and assaulting the crew on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos. Presiding magistrate Olanrewaju Salami struck out the five-count charge on Wednesday after the police prosecution team applied to withdraw the case.
Emmanson had been arrested on Sunday, August 10, 2025, after an alleged altercation in which she reportedly refused to switch off her mobile phone before take-off and later assaulted the flight purser. She was arraigned the following day and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Facility. The incident went viral after videos surfaced online showing her being blocked from leaving the aircraft and, in another clip, partially exposed while being dragged out by airport security.
The release of the footage drew sharp criticism from Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, who condemned the leak and vowed to sanction those responsible. Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu labelled the handling of the matter as “selective justice,” while Lagos lawyer Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya called for a transparent investigation to ensure due process was followed.
An eyewitness seated next to Emmanson had submitted a statement to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, prompting the NCAA to open a formal investigation. The aviation minister later announced the withdrawal of criminal complaints and confirmed that the lifetime flying ban imposed by Ibom Air would be lifted.
The case drew parallels to a recent incident involving Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, who faced sanctions over an altercation with ValueJet Airlines. Both cases have fuelled debates over passenger rights, aviation security, and the consistent enforcement of rules.