The Federal Government has announced a series of decisions aimed at resolving recent incidents of unruly behavior at Nigerian airports, including the withdrawal of a criminal complaint against Ms. Comfort Emmanson and a reduction of the flight ban on Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, also known as KWAM 1.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, stated that after consultations with key aviation stakeholders and in light of the remorse shown by the actors involved, these decisions were reached on “purely on compassionate grounds.”
In the case of Comfort Emmanson, who was involved in an altercation with Ibom Air staff, the airline has agreed to withdraw its criminal complaint against her.
Keyamo also stated that the police will take immediate steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prison this week.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has also agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban previously imposed on her.
Similarly, for Kwam 1, who was involved in an incident with ValueJet staff, The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have agreed to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period and also withdraw its criminal complaints against him.
Keyamo further announced that The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will engage Kwam 1 as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
The ban on the ValueJet pilots, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, will also be reduced to one month, after which their licenses will be restored following a mandatory professional re-appraisal.
The Minister’s statement also highlighted the government’s commitment to improving airport safety and security. Keyamo announced that all relevant aviation agencies will hold a retreat next week to retrain security personnel on how to de-escalate situations involving disruptive passengers.
Airlines will also participate in sessions focused on the conduct and attitude of their staff toward the traveling public.
The Minister concluded the statement saying, “We are also sending a CLEAR MESSAGE that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.”
