Osigwe (SAN)
By Publisher
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The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has weighed into the Comfort Emmanson and Ibom Air dispute and called on the authorities of the airline and the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, reverse the lifetime ban imposed on the passenger.
Emmanson had been forcefully removed from an Ibom Air aircraft on Sunday at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos over alleged assault on a crew member.
Afam Osigwe, and Mobolaji Ojibara, the NBA President and Secretary, respectively in a statement said both organisations acted hastily without hearing from the passenger, describing it as a breach of the fundamental principle of fair hearing.
“The NBA demands that AON and Ibom Air immediately withdraw the lifetime ban, issue a public apology to Ms Emmanson, and cooperate fully with an impartial investigation into this incident,” the statement read.
“We also call on the Minister for Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough inquiry, sanction all those found culpable, and enforce strict compliance with established standards for the humane treatment of air passengers.”
The two senior lawyers NBA stated would be ready to provide free legal support to the passenger to ensure that her rights are protected and that she obtains redress for the violations suffered.
“We will not remain silent while the fundamental rights of any Nigerian are trampled upon, whether by public authorities, private corporations, or individuals. Respect for human dignity and the rule of law must never be compromised, and in this matter, justice must prevail,” the statement added.
“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 issued its own 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 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.
“Consequently, the NBA demands that Ibom Air and AON immediately withdraw the lifetime ban, issue a public apology to Ms Emmanson, and cooperate fully with an impartial investigation into this incident.”
Recall that Emmanson was seen in
a video that circulated online in a heated incident at the airport, resulting in her being dragged out of the aircraft, partially stripped.
Consequently, both Ibom Air, alongside the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON banned her for a lifetime from travelling domestically and international in their aircraft.
Ibom Air said the pilot-in-command resorted to inviting security after the passenger refused to disembark, which led to the crew restraining her to ensure safe removal. The passenger has been remanded in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
But the NBA said an emerging video of the incident revealed a contrary position of Ibom Air.
The ugly incident at the airport happened too soon after Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, KWAM 1 attempted to use his body to stop a ValuJet aircraft from taking off in Abuja.
Former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, was also involved in another disturbing incident with Air Peace when he allegedly disrupted operations of the Airline after arriving late for boarding formalities.
