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By Oscar Okhifo
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Wednesday met with Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials and the Ibom Air cabin crew members involved in the August 10, 2025 incident aboard an Uyo–Lagos flight, but the passenger at the centre of the controversy, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, was absent.
The meeting, held at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, was part of the regulatory authority’s ongoing investigation into the confrontation that ensued after Emmanson allegedly refused to switch off her mobile phone during take-off, leading to a scuffle with crew members.
Although her presence had been expected, sources disclosed that Emmanson did not attend because she was said to be “unprepared” following what was described as an “airport drama.” To avoid further complications, the NCAA has now rescheduled her session to take place in Lagos.
Confirming the development, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, said Emmanson had been in contact with the authority and would appear before the panel alongside the airline crew to enable a balanced assessment of the incident.
He explained that the regulatory body was determined to ensure due process, adding that all parties involved would be given fair hearing before recommendations are made.
The case stems from a heated exchange aboard Ibom Air flight QI0310 on August 10. Reports indicated that Emmanson refused to switch off her phone despite repeated instructions from the crew as the aircraft prepared for take-off. The situation escalated into a physical confrontation, drawing in Aviation Security personnel after landing.
Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, sparking debates on whether Emmanson’s action constituted a breach of aviation safety rules and if the response from the airline staff was proportionate.
The NCAA’s invitation to Emmanson has raised fresh questions in aviation circles and among members of the public. Many wonder why the regulatory body is only now embarking on fact-finding when she had already been swiftly arrested, arraigned, and remanded in prison over the incident.
Critics argue that Emmanson was publicly disgraced and punished before any thorough investigation, contrasting her treatment with that of popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), who was accused of a similar breach but never faced such humiliation.
Observers also question what happens if the ongoing inquiry eventually reveals that Emmanson was wrongly treated. Would the belated investigation and public relations effort make any difference to a woman who recently confessed she was too ashamed to go out because her videos and photos circulated indecently across the globe?
It has also been alleged that Emmanson is considering legal action against Ibom Air and the Aviation Security personnel involved in her “humiliation and indecent body exposure”, a move that could open another chapter in the controversy.
Legal experts and consumer rights advocates have weighed in, insisting that Emmanson may have a strong case in court if she chooses to sue. Aviation lawyer, Barr. Kenneth Obiora, noted that while airlines have the right to enforce safety regulations, “due process and proportionality must be respected at all times.” According to him, the manner in which she was arrested and paraded could be challenged as a violation of her fundamental rights. He is not alone on this view.
Similarly, a consumer protection advocate, Mrs. Bisi Adeniran, stressed that the case highlights the urgent need for better conflict-resolution training for cabin crew and aviation security officers. “Passengers must obey rules, no doubt, but enforcement should never degenerate into public humiliation or abuse,” she said.
Her absence at Wednesday’s meeting therefore comes against a backdrop of not just regulatory probe, but also wider concerns about justice, fairness, and the treatment of passengers in Nigeria’s aviation sector.