The Ikeja Magistrate Court in Ogba, Lagos State, on Wednesday, discharged Comfort Emmanson, a passenger accused of disruptive behaviour and assault on an Ibom Air aircraft.
Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami released Emmason after the police dropped the five counts against her.
Festus Keyamo (SAN), Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, had already announced the conclusions following meetings with aviation stakeholders.
The minister stated that the resolutions were made after analysing the occurrences, weighing appeals from well-meaning individuals, and taking into account those involved’s contrition.
Keyamo reported that Ibom Air has decided to dismiss its case against Emmanson, who was arrested for the August 10 incident.
Emmason was charged before the court on Monday, and despite being granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in the same amount, she was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre because she failed to meet her bail conditions.
At the case’s resumed hearing, the prosecutor, Oluwabunmi Adeitan, informed the court that fresh events had required the case’s withdrawal.
She filed an application with the court to withdraw the lawsuit, which the court accepted.
Following the withdrawal, the Airport Command and the police prosecutor will take steps to secure her release from Kirikiri Correctional Centre this week.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has also agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban placed on her, with details to be announced soon.
Keyamo declared that a retreat will be held next week to instruct aviation security officers on how to handle unruly passengers and de-escalate stressful situations. Airlines will also hold specific training to address worker behaviour towards passengers.
Keyamo emphasised that the clemencies were granted purely on compassionate grounds, adding, “Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws is involved. We have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.”
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Emmanson was removed from an Ibom Air flight from Lagos to Uyo after refusing to switch off her phone as demanded by crew members.
The situation worsened when she became physically hostile, hitting a flight attendant and having to be held and led off the plane at Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
In response, Ibom Air imposed a lifetime ban on Emmanson from both local and international flights, citing its zero-tolerance policy toward violent or disruptive behaviour.
