A Civil Society Organisation, The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), has called for an independent investigation into the handling of Comfort Emmanson by Ibom Air and aviation regulatory authorities, describing her treatment as “unfair, unjust, and unacceptable.”
In a statement issued on Monday, August 11, 2025, by its Head of Office, Omoniyi Akingunola, NEFGAD announced it would provide free legal services to Emmanson to challenge the airline’s actions.
Incident That Sparked Controversy
The controversy began on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos when Emmanson allegedly refused to switch off her mobile phone before take-off, in violation of standard aviation safety procedures.
Videos widely shared on social media show an angry confrontation between Emmanson, flight attendants, and airport security officials. Ibom Air claimed her behaviour posed a serious safety risk to the crew, passengers, and aircraft.
Following the incident, Ibom Air imposed a lifetime travel ban on Emmanson, a decision supported by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
CSO Challenges Airline and Authorities
NEFGAD criticised both Ibom Air and the AON for imposing the ban without granting Emmanson a fair hearing or conducting a proper investigation.
The group also faulted the Nigeria Police Force for rushing the matter to court without adequate fact-finding.
“It is wrong to judge the incident based solely on the clip recorded outside the aircraft. Something may have happened inside the plane that led to her reaction after she was prevented from disembarking — an apparent orchestrated provocation,” Akingunola said.
Calls for Release of In-Flight Footage
NEFGAD is demanding that Ibom Air release the full in-flight video to determine whether Emmanson’s actions were provoked. The organisation questioned why a passenger allegedly ready to disembark would later refuse to leave unless the situation had been escalated.
Akingunola argued that cabin crew should not act as law enforcement officers, especially when their actions result in physical confrontations with passengers.
Broader Implications for Passenger Rights
This case has sparked debate on:
- Passenger rights and due process in Nigeria’s aviation sector
- The authority of airlines to impose lifetime bans
- The role of regulatory bodies in ensuring fairness in passenger disputes
NEFGAD’s intervention highlights growing concerns about how airlines handle onboard conflicts and the balance between safety enforcement and customer rights.
