An Ikeja Magistrate Court in Ogba, Lagos, yesterday discharged Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger accused of unruly behaviour and assault aboard a flight.
Presiding Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami struck out the case following the withdrawal of five charges filed by the police.
The decision came after Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), announced that Ibom Air had agreed to drop its complaint.
Keyamo said the move followed consultations with aviation stakeholders, appeals from concerned individuals, and the remorse shown by those involved.
Emmanson, arrested for the August 10 incident, was arraigned on Monday and granted bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum but was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for failing to meet the conditions.
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel Oluwabunmi Adeitan informed the court of fresh developments and applied to withdraw the case.
The application was granted, freeing Emmanson.
Earlier yesterday, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced that the Federal Government has withdrawn criminal complaints against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger accused of unruly behaviour, and Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, following recent airport incidents.
The decision, Keyamo said was taken after consultations with aviation stakeholders and consideration of appeals from “well-meaning Nigerians.”
Keyamo said Ms. Emmanson, who clashed with crew members aboard an Ibom Air flight on August 10, had shown “great remorse” during police questioning in the presence of her lawyer. The complaint against her has been withdrawn, and the police will work to secure her release from Kirikiri Prison this week. The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has also agreed to lift her lifetime flying ban, with details to be announced soon.
For KWAM 1, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has cut his ban to one month and will withdraw its police complaint. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will also appoint him as an ambassador for airport security protocol.
Keyamo said the NCAA would reinstate the licences of ValueJet pilot Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and co-pilot First Officer Ivan Oloba after a one-month suspension and professional reappraisal.
He directed aviation agencies to hold a retreat next week to retrain security personnel on managing disruptive passengers, while airlines will review staff–passenger relations.
“These decisions were taken purely on compassionate grounds,” Keyamo said. “We have decided to draw a line after these clemencies, while maintaining our commitment to aviation safety and security.”