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The Federal Government has dropped its criminal charges against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of disruptive behavior on an Ibom Air flight, and has reduced the indefinite flight ban on Fuji music star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, known as KWAM 1.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, made these announcements on Wednesday after discussions with stakeholders in the aviation industry.
The minister stated that the decisions were made after an examination of the incidents, considering appeals from concerned parties, and acknowledging the remorse expressed by those involved.
Keyamo noted that Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint against Ms. Emmanson, who was detained following the incident on August 10.
“While the police interviewed her with her lawyer present, she showed significant regret for her actions,” he mentioned.
With the withdrawal of charges, the Airport Command and the police prosecutor will work to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prison this week.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria has also decided to lift the lifetime ban on her, with further details to follow. In relation to the ValueJet incident that involved KWAM 1, the minister indicated that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority will shorten his ban to one month.
FAAN plans to engage the artist as an ambassador for airport security measures. “After displaying public remorse, the NCAA will retract its criminal charges against KWAM 1,” Keyamo said.
The month-long suspension will also extend to ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, both of whose licenses will be reinstated after a necessary professional review.
Keyamo announced a retreat next week to retrain aviation security staff on how to handle unruly passengers and to de-escalate difficult situations. Airlines will also have specific sessions to improve staff interactions with travelers.
The minister emphasized that these leniencies were granted solely out of compassion, stating: “The government will not bow to low sentiments, politically charged opinions, or flawed legal interpretations where clear violations of our laws occur. We have chosen to establish a boundary following these leniencies.”
