Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered the withdrawal of the criminal complaint against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger at the centre of the August 10 Ibom Air incident.
The minister said the decision followed consultations with the airline, appeals from well-meaning Nigerians, and Emmanson’s public expression of remorse during police questioning.
Keyamo disclosed that he had also secured the agreement of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to lift the lifetime flight ban earlier imposed on Emmanson.
“The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently,” he noted, adding that the move is expected to pave the way for her release from Kirikiri Prison this week.
READ MORE: Unruly’ Ibom Air Passenger Remanded in Kirikiri After Assaulting Crew
The minister explained that the resolution was reached on compassionate grounds, taking into account the impact the incident has had on public awareness of acceptable behaviour within the aviation sector.
He stressed that while both the passenger and airline staff committed wrongs, the government sought a balanced resolution.
Keyamo added that the Federal Government remains committed to upholding discipline in the aviation sector. “This clemency does not mean unruly conduct will be tolerated in future. We have drawn a line, and rules will be strictly enforced going forward,” he warned.
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