The federal government has withdrawn criminal complaints against a perceived unruly lady Ms Comfort Emmanson who was molested and thrown out of Ibom Air flight she boarded from Uyo enroute Lagos. Ms. Emmanson was said to have met her match when she refused to put off her phone aboard the flight-leading to confrontations that later caused the exposure of her body.

She was also reminded in kirikiri correctional center by a Lagos magistrate court after the management of the Ibom air lodged a complaint against her. After 48 hours, the federal is considering an out of court settlement after consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals including Music maestro king Wasiu Anyinde Marshall also known as KWAM 1, at airports of recent.

Minister of Aviation in a statement described the actions of the passengers as regrettable but believes that valuable lessons may have been learnt by all sides
to the incidents. The minister said airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public raising public awareness.

KEYAMO said however, that after reviewing the entire incidents, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors, govt. has asked Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against Ms. Emmanson due to her great show of remorse and for the Police Prosecutor and the airline operators of Nigeria to immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week and to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her.

Government also directed the reduction of KWAM1’s flight ban to a one-month period and had asked FAAN to work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward. Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.

In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The minister also directed all relevant Aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation to IMMEDIATELY begin a retreat NEXT WEEK to properly retrain and prepare the Aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations. The retreat will be fully covered by the Press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.

The Airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the traveling public will be in full focus. Stating that Government will release details of all consultations to the public soonest, the minister maintained that the decisions were taken on compassionate ground with a view to achieving a better aviation sector for the country.