By Ayodele Oni and Akinwale Kasali
The Federal Government of Nigeria [FGN] has given a soft landing to two airline passengers accused of breaching the rules in Abuja and Lagos, one of whom is currently being detained on court order.
Government stated that it has withdrawn criminal complaints against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger accused of unruly behaviour, and Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, over recent incidents at Nigerian airports.
The reprieve came 24 hours after the Nigeria Police announced it has started a criminal investigation against Kwam 1 based on the petition and request by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. It also came after the backlash against the Government over the arrest, arraignment in court, and detention of Ms. Emmanson at the Kirikiri Prisons, a treatment not meted to Kwam1.
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA as well as many Nigerians, including Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Elections, had strongly condemned the FG, the staff of the Airline and Security Personnel over the humiliation of Emmanson. The NBA, in a statement by its President offered her free legal representation.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the decision to withdraw the cases in a statement on Wednesday, saying the move was taken after consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector and consideration of appeals from well-meaning Nigerians.
Keyamo said Ms. Emmanson, who was involved in an altercation aboard an Ibom Air flight on August 10, had shown “great remorse” during Police interrogation in the presence of her lawyer.
He confirmed that the complaint against her had been withdrawn and that the Police would work to secure her release from Kirikiri Prison this week.
He also said that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban imposed on her, with details of the resolution to be announced by the group.
In KWAM 1’s case, Keyamo said the NCAA had reduced the artiste’s flight ban to one month and would withdraw its police complaint.
He added that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) would engage the musician as an ambassador for airport security protocol.
Similarly, the NCAA will restore the licences of ValueJet pilot Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and co-pilot First Officer Ivan Oloba after a one-month suspension and mandatory professional reappraisal.
Not a few Nigerians insist that the FG granted reprieve to Emmanson in order not to be pressured into prosecuting Kwam1 whose offence, as said by Keyamo and the Aviation Industry, was severe in its criminal intent. They described it as “hostage taking and terrorism.”
Kwam1 enjoys a robust relationship with the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and President Bola Tinubu.
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