- A legal practitioner, Ekemini Udim, has condemned the recent action meted out against Ibom Air passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson
- The lawyer, in a trending interview on Tuesday, faulted the arrest and detention of Comfort Emmanson in the Kirikiri correctional facility
- He queried the Nigerian judicial system, wondering why Fuji musician K1 De Ultimate was not arrested and remanded in prison
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
A legal practitioner, Ekemini Udim, has called for fairness and equal application of the National Civil Aviation Act (NCAA) in the recent airport incidents involving Fuji singer, Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde, better known as KWAM 1, and the clash between Ibom Air passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, and a hostess of the airline.
Photo credit: Reno Omokri
Source: Facebook
Speaking on Channels TV’s The Morning Brief, Udim compared the Ibom Air incident involving Comfort and that of Kwam 1, stressing that both situations fall under the same legal provisions.
“I think we must have equal treatment of similar matters in the country irrespective of who is involved,” he told the breakfast show crew on Tuesday, August 12.
Udim cited Section 85(2) of the Act, which states that any passenger who interferes with crew members or behaves in a disorderly manner commits an offence and is liable to a fine of N200,000, two months’ imprisonment, or both.
He equally referenced Section 85(3) prohibits the use of mobile phones capable of interfering with an aircraft’s signals, prescribing the same punishment. He said Section 85(4) empowers the pilot in command to take necessary measures, including seeking assistance to restrain an unruly passenger, to ensure the safety of the aircraft and those on board.
The lawyer insisted that all airline passengers, regardless of status or popularity, must face the same legal consequences for similar acts of in-flight misconduct.
Udim asked for a review of the no-fly sanction against Comfort, describing the sanction as “excessive.”
He said:
“The Aviation Authority of Nigeria should also look into it.”
The lawyer questioned why Comfort was swiftly prosecuted for “unacceptable” behaviour while Kwam 1, who he said also acted in an “unacceptable” manner, faced no formal charges.
“Somebody behaved in a way that was unacceptable yesterday on board, Ibom, and the person was immediately charged to court,” he said. “Why did the same office not charge Kwam 1, who also behaved in a way that was unacceptable?”
Ibom Air vs Emmanson: Omokri slams Peter Obi
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, has cautioned Nigerians against allowing the former Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to set the country on fire.
Omokri said Obi, in his desperation to be Nigeria’s president, would say anything, including twisting facts about Ibom Air incident.
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KWAM 2: Air Ibom passenger remanded in Kirikiri
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Police arrested an Ibom Air passenger who caused a scene at Lagos airport and assaulted Air Ibom staff, dragging her to court.
Tunde Moshood, an aide to the minister of aviation and aerospace development, confirmed in a statement issued and added that Emmanson was remanded in Kirikiri correctional facility.
Source: Legit.ng