The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has ordered the withdrawal of criminal charges against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger involved in the recent viral Ibom Air incident, and lifted the lifetime flight ban imposed on her.
In a statement released on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Keyamo said the decision followed extensive consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector and a review of the events surrounding the controversial incidents involving Emmanson and music legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as KWAM1.
The minister noted that investigations revealed misconduct on both sides—by the passengers and the airline staff involved—and stressed that the matter had served as a valuable lesson on airport security protocols for the travelling public.
“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,” Keyamo stated.
Comfort Emmanson Case
Keyamo disclosed that after Ibom Air agreed to withdraw its complaint and Emmanson showed “great remorse” during police questioning in the presence of her lawyer, the Police would take steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within the week. He also confirmed that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had agreed to lift the lifetime ban previously imposed on her.
KWAM1 Case
In a separate development, the minister announced that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had reduced KWAM1’s flight ban from an indefinite period to one month, following his public show of penitence. He will also be engaged as an ambassador for proper airport security protocols. Criminal charges against him have been dropped, and the one-month ban also applies to the ValueJet pilots involved—Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba—whose licenses will be restored after undergoing mandatory professional reappraisal.
Security Reforms and Staff Training
To prevent future incidents, Keyamo directed all relevant aviation and complementary security agencies to commence a retreat next week to retrain personnel on managing disruptive passengers and de-escalating conflicts. Airlines will also face a review of their staff’s conduct toward passengers.
Keyamo stressed that the clemency was granted on “compassionate grounds” and should not be mistaken for a relaxation of aviation safety and security standards.
“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,” he said.
