The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has sharply criticized Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) over their handling of a disturbing incident involving Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who was allegedly humiliated and banned for life from flying with the airline.
The incident, which occurred on August 10, 2025, sparked outrage after videos emerged online showing Ms. Emmanson being forcibly removed from an Ibom Air flight.
In a joint statement signed by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe and General Secretary Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the association condemned the airline’s actions as “reckless,” “unlawful,” and a violation of the passenger’s rights.
“The Nigerian Bar Association strongly condemns the treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson in the incident aboard an Ibom Air flight on 10 August 2025 and the subsequent lifetime flight ban imposed on her by Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria. These actions are heavy-handed, unlawful, and a grave affront to the rule of law and human dignity.”
According to the NBA, Ms. Emmanson was not only removed from the aircraft but also publicly stripped and humiliated, with video footage of the ordeal widely circulated on social media.
“It is deeply disturbing that Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and subjected to humiliation that was filmed and circulated online.”
“Such conduct is degrading, violates her right to dignity and privacy, and falls far short of the standards of civility and professionalism expected in the aviation sector. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be treated in such a dehumanising manner.”
While Ibom Air has presented its version of events, the NBA pointed out that alternative footage shows an airline staff member blocking Ms. Emmanson from disembarking, which may constitute a criminal act.
“While Ibom Air has issued its account of events, other video footage has emerged showing an Ibom Air hostess preventing Ms. Emmanson from alighting from the aircraft, a conduct that could constitute false imprisonment and a possible provocation that escalated the situation.”
“This makes it all the more critical that the matter be subjected to an independent, impartial investigation by the appropriate authorities before any disciplinary action is taken against her.”
The NBA also criticized the airline’s decision to impose a lifetime ban without giving Ms. Emmanson the opportunity to defend herself, describing the move as a denial of her right to fair hearing.
“The decision to impose a lifetime ban without affording Ms. Emmanson a fair opportunity to be heard is equally troubling. Ibom Air has so far only presented its own version of events without giving her the chance to respond. This one-sided process, culminating in a ban supported by AON, breaches the fundamental principle of fair hearing and renders the decision legally and morally indefensible.”
The statement further highlighted the illegality of disseminating unedited footage of the incident online, calling it a criminal breach of privacy.
“The photographing, dissemination, and online circulation of indecent images of Ms. Emmanson is also an egregious invasion of privacy and a criminal act. Even if the incident was to be reported, the footage should have been blurred or edited in such a way that it did not expose her nudity to the public.”
“Those responsible for capturing and distributing the unedited footage must be identified and prosecuted. Such acts erode public trust and undermine the rights of all citizens to be treated with dignity and respect.”
The NBA emphasized that only statutory regulators, not private airlines or associations, have the authority to ban passengers from flying.
“The power to suspend or restrict a passenger’s right to fly rests with the appropriate statutory regulator, not private associations or airline operators acting unilaterally.”
Concluding the statement, the NBA demanded accountability and redress from the airline.
“The NBA demands that Ibom Air immediately withdraw the lifetime ban, issue a public apology to Ms. Emmanson, and cooperate fully with an impartial investigation into this incident. We also call on the Minister for Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and relevant security.”
