BREAKING: Tinubu’s Minister Orders Withdrawal of Criminal Complaint Against Comfort, Secures Her Release from Kirikiri
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Keyamo revealed that the decision followed consultations with critical aviation stakeholders and a review of recent high-profile incidents involving disruptive passengers
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Tinubu’s Minister Orders Withdrawal of Criminal Complaint Against Comfort, Secures Her Release from Kirikiri
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the withdrawal of a criminal complaint against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger involved in a recent unruly behaviour incident aboard an Ibom Air flight. The move will also lead to her release from Kirikiri Prison within the week.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Keyamo revealed that the decision followed consultations with critical aviation stakeholders and a review of recent high-profile incidents involving disruptive passengers.
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According to him, both passengers and airline staff in the affected cases committed “clear wrongs” and shared equal culpability. “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,” he said.
Case of Ms. Comfort Emmanson
Keyamo confirmed that Ibom Air had agreed to withdraw its complaint after Emmanson, in the presence of her lawyer, expressed deep remorse for her actions. He added that the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had also agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban earlier imposed on her, with details to be announced soon.
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Other Resolutions
The minister also addressed the case involving Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (popularly known as KWAM 1) and ValueJet crew members. He announced that KWAM 1’s flight ban had been reduced to one month, during which the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would withdraw its criminal complaint. KWAM 1 is also set to work with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as an ambassador for airport security protocols.
Similarly, ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba will have their licenses restored after a one-month ban, pending mandatory professional reappraisal.
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Aviation Security Overhaul
Keyamo ordered all aviation security agencies to begin a retreat next week to retrain personnel on handling unruly passengers and defusing tense situations. Airlines will also undergo a separate session focusing on staff conduct toward passengers.
The minister stressed that the decisions were made purely on compassionate grounds, adding that safety and security in the aviation sector remain the government’s priority. “We have decided to draw a line after these clemencies,” he concluded.
