The Federal Government has directed the withdrawal of legal proceedings against Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger detained following an onboard incident, and has reduced the flight ban imposed on Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the decisions on Tuesday, citing consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector.
He confirmed that Ibom Air had formally withdrawn its complaint against Emmanson, enabling the police to begin procedures for her release from Kirikiri Prison.
“Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week,” Keyamo stated.
The minister also revealed that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban previously imposed on Emmanson. He noted that she had shown “great remorse” during police questioning in the presence of her legal counsel.
In a related development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reduced KWAM 1’s one-year flight ban to one month. The decision follows the musician’s public demonstration of penitence and ongoing efforts to resolve the matter amicably.
“The NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward,” Keyamo said.
The NCAA has also agreed to withdraw its criminal complaint against KWAM 1, while pilots involved in the incident – Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET – will have their licenses restored after serving a one-month suspension and completing mandatory professional reappraisal.
Keyamo emphasized that both passengers and airline staff share responsibility for the incidents, urging all parties to acknowledge their roles in the escalation.
He added that aviation and security agencies would hold a retreat next week to train personnel on conflict de-escalation, and airlines would review staff conduct towards passengers.
“These decisions were taken on compassionate grounds. We take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and have decided to draw a line after these clemencies,” the minister concluded.
