By Ayodele Oni
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said the treatment given to Ms. Comfort Emmanson during an incident aboard an Ibom Air flight on August 10, fell below the standards of civility expected in the aviation sector.
The Association, also, condemned the lifetime flight ban imposed on her by Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
In a statement signed by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the NBA described the actions as “heavy-handed, unlawful, and a grave affront to the rule of law and human dignity.”
The NBA expressed outrage that Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and filmed while being humiliated.
The footage later circulated online. The Association said such treatment was degrading, violated her rights to dignity and privacy, and fell below the standards of civility expected in the aviation sector.
“No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be treated in such a dehumanising manner.” the statement read.
The NBA noted that while Ibom Air has issued its account of the incident, other footage showed a flight hostess preventing Ms. Emmanson from leaving the aircraft.
The association said such conduct could amount to false imprisonment and may have provoked the situation and called for an independent and impartial investigation before any disciplinary action.
The body, also, criticised the decision to impose a lifetime ban without giving Ms. Emmanson the opportunity to defend herself.
It described the process as one-sided and a breach of her right to fair hearing. “The power to suspend or restrict a passenger’s right to fly rests with the appropriate statutory regulator, not private associations or airline operators acting unilaterally.”
The NBA further condemned the photographing and online circulation of indecent images of Ms. Emmanson.
It described it as an invasion of privacy and a criminal act, insisting that those who recorded and shared the unedited footage must be identified and prosecuted.
The NBA demanded that Ibom Air immediately lift the ban, apologise publicly, and cooperate with an impartial investigation.
It also called on the Minister of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and security agencies to conduct a thorough inquiry and sanction anyone found culpable.
“The NBA stands ready to offer Ms. Emmanson pro bono legal support to protect her rights and secure redress for the violations she has suffered.
“We will not remain silent while the fundamental rights of any Nigerian are trampled upon. Justice must prevail.”
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