Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, says the Federal Government has decided to withdraw criminal complaints against Ms Comfort Emmanson and reduce the flight ban imposed on Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1.
In a statement, Keyamo said the decision followed consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector and a review of the recent incidents of unruly behaviour at airports.
He said valuable lessons had been learnt by all parties, noting that “airport security protocol has been well highlighted for the travelling public.”
“Clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and those available to the public,” he said. “It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.”
Ibom Air and Comfort Emmanson
On the August 10 Ibom Air incident, the minister said:, “I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the complaint against her today. When the Police took her statement in presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.
“Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.
“I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.”
ValueJet and KWAM 1
On the case involving KWAM 1, Keyamo said:
“The NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.”
For ValueJet pilots Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, the NCAA will restore their licences after a one-month suspension and mandatory professional re-appraisal.
Security and Training
Keyamo said all relevant aviation agencies, in collaboration with other complementary agencies, will hold a retreat next week to retrain aviation security personnel on handling errant passengers and de-escalating potentially explosive situations.
“The airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public will be in full focus,” he added.
Final Position
“These above decisions were taken by government and the airline operators purely on compassionate grounds,” Keyamo said. “Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.
“We are also sending a clear message that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.”
