CSO Sparks Outrage Over Ibom Air Passenger Ban, Offers Free Legal Aid to Comfort Emmanson

The controversy surrounding Comfort Emmanson, the female passenger banned for life by Ibom Air after a heated altercation with flight attendants and airport officials, has taken a dramatic twist as a Civil Society Organisation wades into the matter, offering free legal representation and demanding a full-scale investigation.

The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD) condemned what it described as the “unfair, unjust, and unacceptable” treatment meted out to Emmanson, questioning both the airline’s actions and the speed at which regulatory and security authorities rushed to penalise her.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday by its Head of Office, Omoniyi Akingunola, the organisation accused the Airline Operators of Nigeria of jumping to conclusions by imposing a lifetime ban without due process or a proper hearing.

The incident, which has been widely circulated on social media through short video clips, reportedly began on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos when Emmanson allegedly refused to comply with the crew’s safety instructions to switch off her mobile phone before take-off.

The airline claims her behaviour was unruly and posed a significant risk to the safety of passengers, crew, and the aircraft, prompting the decision to permanently bar her from future flights. However, the group is now challenging this account, alleging that the footage available online does not tell the whole story and that what transpired inside the aircraft before the recording began could significantly alter public perception of the incident.

According to Akingunola, it is suspicious that only the scenes recorded outside the plane have been made public while no in-flight video has been released. He argued that Emmanson’s reaction on the tarmac may have been provoked by earlier events inside the cabin, suggesting the possibility of an orchestrated attempt to ensure she was penalised. “It is wrong to judge the incident based solely on the clip recorded outside the aircraft.

It appears something happened inside the plane, and the lady reacted after she was prevented from disembarking, an apparent orchestrated provocation to ensure she was penalised for whatever had transpired in-flight,” the statement read. The NEFGAD chief also criticised the police for hastily taking the matter to court without thorough fact-finding, adding that the situation raises questions about the selective application of justice in Nigeria.

He expressed concern over how the matter escalated so rapidly, pointing out that a passenger allegedly dragged off a plane under such circumstances could hardly be expected to remain calm and civil. The statement further challenged the role of cabin crew in handling such disputes, insisting that their primary responsibility is to ensure safety and comfort, not to act as enforcers in a manner that could lead to physical confrontations.

Akingunola warned against crew members exceeding their professional boundaries, particularly when their actions have the potential to provoke passengers and result in incidents that spiral out of control. Ibom Air, on its part, has maintained that its decision to impose the lifetime ban was in line with its zero-tolerance policy for behaviour that threatens flight safety. In an earlier press release, the airline explained that the incident began when Emmanson defied repeated instructions to switch off her phone, a fundamental aviation safety requirement.

According to the airline, the situation escalated to the point where her behaviour was deemed a threat, not just to operational safety but also to the well-being of crew and fellow passengers. The airline emphasised that passenger safety and adherence to standard operating procedures are non-negotiable, noting that non-compliance could have serious consequences. The Airline Operators of Nigeria also weighed in, supporting Ibom Air’s decision and reinforcing the importance of discipline and order in the aviation sector.

But NEFGAD’s intervention has now brought a new dimension to the case, turning it from a matter of airline policy into a broader public debate about fairness, due process, and the rights of passengers. This latest development has split public opinion. While some Nigerians believe that the airline was right to enforce strict rules for the sake of safety and order, others argue that the punishment was excessive and that the situation could have been handled more professionally.

Critics of the airline’s decision point to past incidents involving high-profile individuals who engaged in similar or worse behaviour without facing such severe consequences, questioning whether the same standards apply to all passengers regardless of social status. On social media, the debate continues to rage, with hashtags related to Comfort Emmanson trending on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms. Supporters of Emmanson describe her as a victim of heavy-handed treatment, while her detractors insist that rules must be obeyed, especially in an environment as sensitive as aviation.

The release of the full in-flight video, as demanded by NEFGAD, could prove decisive in shaping public opinion. For now, the absence of that footage leaves room for speculation and competing narratives. Some analysts believe that if the video reveals provocation by crew members or other passengers, it could spark a backlash against Ibom Air and potentially lead to legal consequences for the airline.

On the other hand, if the video confirms the airline’s version of events, it may strengthen the argument for maintaining the lifetime ban. In offering free legal services to Emmanson, NEFGAD has positioned itself as a defender of individual rights and due process, sending a strong message that even in high-security environments like airports, the rights of passengers must be respected.

The group has also called for regulatory authorities, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to review the case impartially and ensure that any sanctions imposed are based on complete evidence rather than selective footage. As the story unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Emmanson will accept NEFGAD’s legal assistance and challenge the ban in court. If she does, the case could set an important precedent for passenger rights in Nigeria’s aviation sector, potentially forcing airlines to adopt more transparent dispute resolution processes.

Meanwhile, Ibom Air has continued with its regular operations, standing by its decision and warning that it will not compromise on safety standards, regardless of public criticism. The company insists that it will always act to protect its crew, passengers, and aircraft from any threat, no matter how small it may seem. For now, the fate of Comfort Emmanson hangs in the balance. Whether she will be vindicated or permanently branded as an unruly passenger will depend on the release of the in-flight footage and the legal battles that may follow.

What is clear, however, is that her case has sparked a nationwide conversation about fairness, the limits of corporate authority, and the need for transparency in disciplinary actions that carry such far-reaching consequences. In the court of public opinion, the verdict is still out.