Photo: Ms Emmanson
The Federal Government and airline operators have lifted the lifetime flight ban placed on Comfort Emmanson, a passenger involved in a recent incident aboard an Ibom Air flight, and reduced the suspension of Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1) to one month.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the development on Wednesday via his official X account. He said the decisions followed consultations with aviation stakeholders, public appeals, and expressions of remorse from both individuals involved.
According to Keyamo, Ibom Air has formally withdrawn its criminal complaint against Emmanson, who has been held at Kirikiri Prison since the August 10, 2025, incident. The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have also agreed to lift their lifetime flying ban. She is expected to be released within the week.
“In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, I have spoken with Ibom Air to withdraw its complaint. During her statement to the police, taken in the presence of her lawyer, she showed deep remorse,” Keyamo said. He added that the police are now taking steps to secure her release.
On Wasiu Ayinde, whose flight caused a security breach after taxiing while people were still on the runway, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will reduce his suspension to one month and drop its complaint. In addition, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will appoint the singer as an ambassador for airport security protocol.
Keyamo also confirmed that the flight crew involved in Ayinde’s incident—Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba—will have their licenses restored after serving a one-month suspension and completing a mandatory professional reappraisal.
The minister emphasized that while these decisions were made on compassionate grounds, they do not represent a softening of the government’s stance on aviation safety and discipline.
