NBA demands reversal of life flight ban on Emmanson stripped naked in public over air travel rule violation
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Comfort Emmanson is getting from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) free legal support in her fracas with Ibom Air crew at Lagos Airport on Sunday, which led to security dragging and stripping her naked over her alleged refusal to switch off her electronic device on board in violation of aviation rule.
She was arrested the same day by Ibom Air and later charged to court, and remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison in Lagos, where she is now grinding her nose against cells.
The NBA promised to provide her with free legal service, describing her treatment on board as a violation of her rights to dignity.
“Respect for human dignity and the rule of law must never be compromised,” insisted the NBA, in a statement signed by its National President Afam Osigwe and General Secretary Mobolaji Ojibara.
The NBA criticised Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) for imposing a life flight ban on Emmanson without a fair hearing.
It NBA also:
- Expressed disgust that Emmanson was “forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and humiliated” with the incident filmed and shared online.
- Described her treatment as degrading, unlawful, and “a grave affront to the rule of law and human dignity.”
- Cited video footage allegedly showing an Ibom Air hostess preventing Emmanson from leaving the aircraft, which it said could amount to false imprisonment and might have escalated the situation.
- Condemned the circulation of unedited footage exposing Emmanson’s nudity, describing it as a criminal invasion of privacy.
- Asked that those responsible for recording and distributing the video be identified and prosecuted.
- Demanded an independent investigation by relevant authorities before any disciplinary action is taken.
- Argued that only the statutory aviation regulator has the authority to ban or suspend or restrict a passenger’s right to fly, not private associations or individual operators.
- Demanded Ibom Air withdraw the life flight ban, issue a public apology to Emmanson, and cooperate with an impartial investigation.
- Asked Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and sanction those found culpable.
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