Nigerian Bar Association Condemns Ibom Air's Treatment of Passenger, Demands Investigation
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a strong condemnation of the treatment of passenger Comfort Emmanson by Ibom Air on August 10, 2025. In a statement released today, the NBA called the airline's actions "reckless and unlawful," particularly criticizing the lifetime flight ban subsequently imposed on Emmanson by both Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
The NBA's statement described the incident as a "grave affront to the rule of law and human dignity." According to the NBA, Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, publicly stripped of her clothing, and subjected to humiliation that was filmed and circulated online. The association emphasized that this conduct was degrading, violated her right to dignity, and fell far below expected standards of professionalism in the aviation sector.
The NBA also highlighted emerging video footage that allegedly shows an Ibom Air hostess preventing Ms. Emmanson from leaving the aircraft, an act the NBA believes could constitute false imprisonment and may have provoked the escalation. This new evidence, the association argues, makes an independent and impartial investigation crucial.
Furthermore, the NBA called the lifetime ban "legally and morally indefensible," arguing that it was imposed without a fair hearing for Ms. Emmanson. The NBA's statement clarifies that the authority to restrict a passenger's right to fly rests with statutory regulators, not private airline operators or associations acting unilaterally.
The association is also demanding the prosecution of those responsible for capturing and distributing indecent images of the passenger online. The NBA has called on Ibom Air to immediately withdraw the ban, issue a public apology, and fully cooperate with an investigation.
The NBA also called on the Minister for Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and other relevant agencies to conduct a thorough inquiry and sanction all those found culpable. The association has offered to provide pro bono legal support to Ms. Emmanson to ensure her rights are protected and she receives appropriate redress.
