NBA condemns treatment of Ibom Air passenger, demands lifting of lifetime ban
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson during an incident aboard an Ibom Air flight on 10 August 2025, describing it as unlawful, degrading, and a violation of human dignity.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, and General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the association criticised both Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) for imposing a lifetime flight ban on Ms. Emmanson without due process.
According to the NBA, Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and subjected to humiliation that was filmed and circulated online. The association said the incident violated her rights to dignity and privacy and fell short of the standards expected in the aviation industry.
The statement noted that while Ibom Air had issued its version of events, other video evidence showed a flight attendant preventing Ms. Emmanson from leaving the plane, which the NBA said could amount to false imprisonment and may have escalated the confrontation. It stressed the need for an independent and impartial investigation before any punitive measures are taken.
The NBA faulted the lifetime ban, stating that it was imposed without giving Ms. Emmanson an opportunity to defend herself. It argued that such action breaches the constitutional right to fair hearing and that only the relevant statutory regulator has the power to suspend or restrict a passenger’s right to fly.
The association also condemned the photographing and online circulation of indecent images of Ms. Emmanson, describing it as a criminal act and an invasion of privacy. It said those responsible for recording and distributing the unedited footage should be prosecuted.
The NBA urged Ibom Air to withdraw the lifetime ban, issue a public apology, and fully cooperate with an impartial investigation. It also called on the Minister of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and relevant security agencies to ensure the matter is thoroughly investigated and justice served.
