The Federal Government has softened its stance on two high-profile aviation incidents, dropping criminal charges against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger accused of unruly behaviour, and reducing the ban on Fuji legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) to one month.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced the decisions on Wednesday after reviewing the cases with industry stakeholders and receiving appeals from concerned Nigerians.
Emmanson was arrested on August 10 after refusing to switch off her phone on a Lagos–Uyo flight and allegedly assaulting a flight attendant. She had been facing criminal prosecution and a lifetime flying ban. Keyamo said Ibom Air agreed to drop its complaint after she showed “great remorse” during a police interview. Authorities are now moving to secure her release from Kirikiri Prison, while the Airline Operators of Nigeria prepares to lift her flight ban.
KWAM 1’s August 5 ban followed a confrontation with ValueJet staff at Abuja airport over a prohibited flask. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has now cut his suspension to one month, with plans for him to serve as a FAAN ambassador for airport security protocols. The ban also applies to the flight’s captain and first officer, who will undergo professional reappraisal before reinstatement.
Keyamo stressed that the decisions were acts of compassion, not a weakening of aviation safety rules. He also announced a forthcomin
