Ibom Air Passenger: Peter Obi Asks Why KWAM1 Was  Treated  Differently

By Charles Igbo

Mr Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election, has faulted the glaring difference in the treatment given to   an unruly Passenger on Ibom Air, Comfort Emmanson, and the one given to a celebrity Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popular as Kwam1 De Ultimate.

Recall that Kwam1, had on August 7, 2025, literally held a ValueJet Aircraft scheduled to fly to Lagos from Abuja hostage over a flask he wanted to take on board, but which was suspected to be filled with alcohol. He resisted both the Airport Security and ValueJet’s from confirming the contents. When the Captain of the flight came down from the cockpit to appeal to him to comply, he opened the flask, and in the process, spilled some of its contents on the Pilot and a couple of other people. When the flight was ready to leave without him, he went and stood in front of the aircraft and, in fact, placed his hand on its body. He only “dodged” from being hit by the plane when the Captain powered it, and made a move to taxi off.

For that move, the two Pilots – Captain and Flying Officer, had their licenses suspended by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. But the Minister for Aviation insisted Kwam1 be sanctioned.

So, he was placed on a “no-fly” list for six months, a period which was suddenly changed to “indefinitely until investigations are through.” Not a few people think the sanction could be lifted soon, particularly, after his public apology.

But on Monday, 11th August, 2025, another incident happened on Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos. Comfort Emmanson, a passenger on the flight displayed an unruly attitude and went physical on arrival at Lagos from Uyo because she was, allegedly, asked to switch off her phone for take off.

For her misconduct, not only was she stripped naked while she was being bundled out of the aircraft and into a bus on the tarmac, handed over to the Police, she was arraigned in Court, and remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Facility, Lagos.

While Nigerians condemn her attitude, they are outraged that the same treatment given to her was not given to Kwam1. The questions they are asking are: Why was Kwam1 not arrested by the Police for committing a more serious offence which has been likened to terrorism or, according to Aviation Minister, hostage taking? Why was he not arraigned in Court? And why was he not remanded in prison custody.

One of those who took exception to the differential treatment is Obi. He described it as double standards.

In a post on his X page, Obi decried the handling of Emmanson’s arrest and said justice must be fair. He lamented the dehumanising treatment given to Ms. Emmanson.

His said in the statement where he, also, apologized to the Ibom Air Crew assaulted by Emmanson that another individual (Kwam1) committed

a more serious offence, but was not given same treatment as Emmanson.

While he stressed the need for Nigerians to be of good conduct,

he condemned what he called the “dehumanising treatment given Emmanson who was publicly stripped naked before being hurriedly taken to court and remanded while another individual who held a plane from taking off and put hundreds of lives at risk remains at large, with some government officials calling for him to be forgiven.”

Obi: “This case is not just about one young woman; it is about the double standards that poison our justice system. Justice in Nigeria must never be about who is poor or powerless versus who has influence or access to government officials.

“While Ms. Comfort Emmanson is in jail, the other offender who committed a more severe offence has not been held to the same standard. He has neither been arrested nor arraigned in any court.

“We must build a country where justice is fair, equal, and not selective, especially against women who are seen to be weaker. This young lady’s offence does not compare to the crimes committed daily by those parading themselves as “excellencies” while looting public funds without consequence, and yet they have not been stripped or dehumanised in the name of justice.

“The Minister of Aviation and other relevant authorities owe the public an explanation for these double standards in their adjudication.

“Justice must be just, or it is nothing at all. The rule of law, based on justice for all, must remain the guidepost of our democracy.”

Ibom Air has, also, banned Emmanson, for life,  on any of its flights.