The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has openly slammed the treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson, following last Sunday’s controversial incident aboard an Ibom Air flight.
According to a joint statement signed by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), and Secretary-General, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the lifetime flight ban imposed on Ms. Emmanson by Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) is “arbitrary, unjust, and unlawful.”
Omo, this one no be small matter at all — the NBA says the punishment was issued without giving her a fair hearing!
What Happened?
Reports allege that Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped in public, and recorded — with the footage circulating online. The NBA described this as “humiliating and degrading,” noting that it violates her dignity and privacy.
Even more shocking, footage allegedly shows an Ibom Air hostess preventing Ms. Emmanson from leaving the plane, which the NBA says could be false imprisonment and possibly provoked the incident further.
NBA’s Demands
The association has called for:
- An independent investigation into the incident.
- Immediate reversal of the lifetime ban.
- Prosecution of those who recorded and distributed the unedited video exposing her nudity.
- A public apology from Ibom Air.
Omo, if these demands aren’t met, this matter fit turn into a full-blown legal war.
Legal Angle
The NBA insists that only statutory regulators have the power to suspend or ban passengers, not airline associations acting on their own. They stressed that this one-sided decision — without hearing Ms. Emmanson’s version — is legally and morally indefensible.
They’ve also pledged free legal representation for Ms. Emmanson to protect her rights and seek justice.
Bigger Picture
This case has already sparked heated conversations online, with many Nigerians questioning the professionalism of those involved. The NBA has made it clear:
“We will not remain silent while the rights of any Nigerian are trampled upon. Respect for human dignity must never be compromised.”
Omo, the way this matter is going, it’s about to shake both the legal and aviation sectors in Nigeria.
