Comfort Emmanson: Court discharges Ibom air passenger

An Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Ogba, Lagos, on Wednesday discharged Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger accused of unruly behaviour and assault during a Uyo–Lagos flight, after prosecutors formally withdrew all charges.

Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami struck out the five-count charge following an application by the prosecution to discontinue the case.

The decision came after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, intervened in the matter, holding consultations with aviation stakeholders and securing Ibom Air’s agreement to drop its complaints over the August 10 incident.

“The resolution followed a review of the incident, appeals from well-meaning individuals, and the remorse expressed by those involved,” Keyamo said.

Following discussions, Ibom Air consented to withdraw its complaint, allowing the police to end their prosecution.

Emmanson, arraigned on August 11, had been granted ₦500,000 bail with two sureties but was remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre after failing to meet the conditions.

At Wednesday’s hearing, prosecuting counsel Oluwabunmi Adeitan informed the court of the decision to withdraw, and the magistrate granted the request immediately.

The case, which had drawn public attention to airline-passenger relations in Nigeria, is now formally closed.