The Ibom Air passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over alleged unruly behaviour during a Uyo–Lagos flight, has been released.
A Magistrate Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday struck out the five-count charge against her after the complainants withdrew the case.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed her release, saying the decision followed consultations with stakeholders in the aviation sector and those involved in the incident.
Emmanson was accused of assaulting a flight attendant and confronting security personnel at Lagos airport on Sunday. The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had placed a lifetime no-fly ban on her, while she was arraigned on Monday but remanded for failing to provide sureties.
Keyamo condemned her actions but also criticised the circulation of a viral video showing her in an indecent state, directing action against those who leaked it.
Civil society groups, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and members of the public had condemned the handling of the case by Ibom Air and the AON.
Keyamo said following appeals from well-meaning Nigerians and the remorse shown by Emmanson, he prevailed on Ibom Air to withdraw its complaint and urged AON to lift the flying ban, to which they agreed.
