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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) over what it describes as the reckless and dehumanising treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson, a passenger forcibly removed from an aircraft on August 10, 2025.
In a press statement signed by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and General Secretary Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the association criticised the airline’s handling of the incident, calling the actions “unlawful, degrading, and a gross violation of Ms. Emmanson’s constitutional rights.”
“No person, regardless of the circumstances, deserves to be stripped of their dignity in such a public and humiliating manner,” said Osigwe. “This is not just a violation of human rights, it is a stain on the conscience of our aviation sector.”
According to reports and preliminary video footage circulating online, Ms. Emmanson was involved in a heated altercation with flight crew shortly before take-off. She allegedly refused to switch off her mobile phone despite repeated instructions from the crew, in direct violation of civil aviation safety protocols. The situation escalated further when Ms. Emmanson was reportedly seen on camera physically assaulting a female air hostess.
These actions contributed to the decision by the airline crew to request her removal from the flight. However, the manner in which the removal was carried out with footage showing Ms. Emmanson being forcibly dragged off the aircraft and allegedly stripped of her clothing during the scuffle has drawn significant public backlash and condemnation.
The NBA described the filming and online distribution of the indecent footage as a criminal act and called for the immediate identification and prosecution of those responsible.
“The unauthorised recording and dissemination of such humiliating content is a vile invasion of privacy and a serious crime under Nigerian law,” said Ojibara. “We demand that those behind the camera and those who circulated the footage be held fully accountable.”
The Association further rebuked the decision by Ibom Air and the AON to impose a lifetime flight ban on Ms. Emmanson without due process, labeling it as “a breach of her right to fair hearing.”
“Ibom Air cannot act as judge, jury, and executioner. The right to restrict a citizen’s movement in this manner lies with the appropriate regulatory authorities, not private companies acting in isolation and without transparency,” Osigwe stated.
The NBA emphasized that preliminary footage shows an airline hostess blocking Ms. Emmanson from disembarking, a move the association says could amount to false imprisonment and a possible provocation that escalated the situation.
“This raises very serious legal and ethical concerns,” the statement read. “An independent, impartial investigation must be immediately launched before any judgment is passed on Ms. Emmanson’s conduct.”
In its concluding remarks, the NBA demanded that Ibom Air withdraw the lifetime ban and issue a public apology to Ms. Emmanson. Furthermore, the association called on the regulatory bodies including the Minister of Aviation, NCAA, and FAAN to initiate a thorough investigation into the incident.
While requesting that legal action be taken against all parties involved in the abuse, including those who filmed and leaked the footage, the NBA also announced its readiness to provide pro bono legal support to Ms. Emmanson, assuring that her rights will be vigorously defended.
“We will not stand by while the rights of Nigerian citizens are trampled upon by either public authorities or private corporations. Justice must prevail and it will,” said Osigwe.
As the controversy continues to unfold, all eyes are now on Nigeria’s aviation and security authorities to determine whether swift and impartial justice will be served.