Federal Govt Orders Release of Ibom Air Passenger, Comfort Emmanson, from Kirikiri Prison

Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo has announced that, based on his order, Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its court case against Comfort Emmanson, ensuring her release from detention in Kirikiri Prison over alleged violation of flight rule.

And he disclosed that, also based on his order, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will cut from one year to one month, the flight ban on President Bola Tinubu’s praise-singer, Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1.

Besides, the licences of VALUEJET pilot Oluranti Ogoyi and her co-pilot involved in the KWAM 1 case will be restored after they complete one-month suspension and mandatory professional reappraisal.

Keyamo explained in a statement issued on Wednesday that the decisions followed consultations with key aviation stakeholders over recent unruly behaviours at airports.

The statement said the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) agreed to lift the life flight ban on Emmanson and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to restore the licences of the ValueJet pilots after they meet the conditions.

“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,” Keyamo promised in the statement.

“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.

“In the case of KWAM 1, 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.

“In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA.

“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.

“These decisions were taken on compassionate grounds. We take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.”