The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a scathing condemnation of Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) over the “unlawful, degrading and humiliating” treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson during a recent flight, vowing to give her free legal representation.
In a joint statement signed by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), and General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the association accused the airline of grossly violating Emmanson’s rights by forcibly removing her from an aircraft, publicly stripping her, and imposing a lifetime ban without due process or fair hearing.
Describing the incident, widely circulated in viral videos, as a “criminal invasion of privacy” and “a serious affront to the rule of law,” the NBA also alleged that footage showed an airline staff member physically preventing Emmanson from leaving the plane, which it said could amount to false imprisonment.
The association stressed that only the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has the legal power to restrict or suspend a passenger’s right to fly, accusing Ibom Air and the AON of acting beyond their authority.
It called for a swift and transparent investigation by the Minister of Aviation, NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and security agencies, and demanded the identification and prosecution of those who recorded and circulated the indecent footage.
The NBA further urged Ibom Air to immediately lift the lifetime ban, issue a public apology, and cooperate with any independent probe.
“The NBA will provide pro bono legal services to Ms. Comfort Emmanson to ensure human dignity and the rule of law are upheld,” the statement said.
The case has sparked heated debate over passenger rights, corporate responsibility, and abuse of authority in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Legal analysts say the outcome could set a landmark precedent for how airlines manage disputes with travelers in the future.