Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has confirmed that Ibom Air has withdrawn its complaint against Comfort Emmanson, clearing the way for her release from detention this week.
Keyamo, in a statement on Wednesday, said the development follows negotiations with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over recent high-profile cases of unruly behaviour at airports.
According to the minister, Emmanson—arrested after an incident on an Ibom Air flight on August 10, 2025—expressed “great remorse” during police questioning in the presence of her lawyer. He added that the police would now “immediately take the remaining steps” to secure her release from Kirikiri Prison.
“I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and appealed to them to lift the lifetime flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed,” Keyamo said. “The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.”
KWAM 1 Ban Reduced
Keyamo also revealed that Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, will have his one-year flight ban reduced to just one month. The minister said the NCAA decided to review the punishment after the singer publicly apologised over his role in an airport dispute.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will now partner with KWAM 1 to promote airport security awareness, with plans to engage him as an ambassador for proper airport conduct.
“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the police,” Keyamo explained.
Pilots to Return After Reappraisal
In a related decision, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET—initially suspended in connection to the KWAM 1 incident—will have their licenses restored after serving a one-month suspension and completing mandatory professional reappraisal.
Call for Shared Responsibility
Keyamo stressed that both passengers and airline staff must take responsibility for such incidents.
“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.
The minister further announced that aviation and security agencies will hold a retreat next week to train personnel on conflict de-escalation, while airlines will review staff conduct toward travellers.
“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,” Keyamo concluded.
