An Ikeja magistrate court has dropped all charges against Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger who was accused of assaulting airline officials.
The presiding magistrate, Olanrenwaju Salami, discharged Emmanson after the police prosecutor, Olubunmi Adeitan, withdrew the five-count charge.
The incident that led to the charges occurred on a flight from Uyo to Lagos on a Sunday. According to reports from the airline and eyewitnesses, Emmanson allegedly refused to turn off her mobile phone before takeoff, which escalated into a physical altercation with crew members and airport security.
Footage of the event, which went viral on social media, showed Emmanson being forcefully removed from the aircraft.
The video, which showed her partially undressed, sparked a public outcry and led to criticisms from various groups, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Ibom Air, accused Emmanson of becoming physically aggressive and attempting to use a fire extinguisher on officials, placing a lifetime ban on her from all future flights.
Following significant public pressure and the intervention of the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, the situation took a new turn.
The minister directed Ibom Air to withdraw its criminal complaint and advised the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to lift the lifetime ban, noting that Emmanson had shown great remorse for her actions.
The court’s decision to drop the charges was a direct result of this withdrawal, which was based on the discovery of new facts in the case.
Emmanson’s counsel, Adams Otakpe, did not oppose the withdrawal of the charges. Emmanson who had previously been remanded in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre has now been released
