The Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, who was arraigned and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over allegations of unruly behaviour during a flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday, has been released.
Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami discharged Emmanson on Wednesday after striking out the five counts against her, following the withdrawal of the case.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed her release to Channels Television in a brief message, stating, *“Emmanson has gone home from the court. I can confirm that.”*
Keyamo, in a statement earlier on Wednesday, explained that the decision followed consultations with critical stakeholders in the aviation sector and those involved in recent incidents of unruly behaviour at airports.
Emmanson had been accused of assaulting a flight attendant and confronting security agents at the Lagos airport on Sunday. As a result, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) imposed a lifetime no-fly ban on her.
She was arraigned before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday and remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre after failing to provide adequate sureties.
While condemning her actions, Keyamo also criticized the circulation of a viral video showing Emmanson in an indecent state, with her top torn and upper body exposed. He ordered action against Ibom Air officials responsible for leaking the footage.
Her arrest and remand sparked public outrage, with civil societies and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemning Ibom Air and the AON for their handling of the incident.
In a reversal on Wednesday, Keyamo stated that parties involved had learned their lessons, and the incident had heightened public awareness of airport security protocols.
After deliberations, including appeals from well-meaning individuals and Emmanson’s display of remorse, Keyamo said he persuaded Ibom Air to withdraw the complaint.
“In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, August 10, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the complaint against her today. When the police took her Statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.”
He also announced that the AON had agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban imposed on her, with further details to be made public later.
