JUST IN: Keyamo Orders Withdrawal of Criminal Case Against Passenger, Eases Sanctions on KWAM 1, Airline Crew

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has announced the withdrawal of the criminal complaint against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger recently accused of unruly behaviour, as well as a reduction in sanctions against Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (popularly known as KWAM 1) and certain airline crew members.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, via X Page, Keyamo said the decisions followed consultations with critical stakeholders in the aviation sector and a review of the recent high-profile incidents involving disruptive conduct at Nigerian airports.

According to the minister, “valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides” and the episodes have helped raise public awareness about appropriate conduct in the aviation space. He noted that both passengers and airline staff were culpable in the recent altercations, and stressed that the resolution was reached on compassionate grounds after appeals from well-meaning individuals and signs of remorse from those involved.

On Sunday, August 10, Ms. Emmanson was arrested aboard an Ibom Air flight after a heated altercation with airline staff over boarding and seating arrangements. The confrontation, captured in videos shared online, showed her shouting at crew members and refusing to comply with instructions. She was subsequently handed over to airport police, charged for disruptive conduct, and later remanded at Kirikiri Prisons.

In a separate case, Fuji legend KWAM 1 was involved in a row with ValueJet crew members during a scheduled flight. Reports indicated that the disagreement began over a cabin procedure and escalated into a verbal clash with the captain and co-pilot, leading to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) imposing a flight ban on him and suspending the licences of the airline’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba for failing to maintain cockpit decorum.

Keyamo confirmed that Ibom Air had agreed to withdraw its complaint against Ms. Emmanson. He said she expressed “great remorse” during her statement to police in the presence of her lawyer. Following the withdrawal, the Airport Command Police and prosecutors are expected to facilitate her release from Kirikiri within the week.

The minister also revealed that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban placed on her, with details to be announced later by the association.

In KWAM 1’s case, Keyamo disclosed that the NCAA will reduce the singer’s flight ban to one month, after which he will serve as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol. The NCAA will also withdraw its criminal complaint against him.

Similarly, ValueJet’s Captain Ogoyi and First Officer Oloba will have their licences restored after a one-month ban and completion of a mandatory professional re-appraisal.

Keyamo directed all relevant aviation agencies, in collaboration with other government bodies, to commence a retreat next week for retraining aviation security personnel on handling disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations. Airlines will also have dedicated sessions to review staff conduct towards the travelling public.

The minister emphasised that while the government acted out of compassion in these cases, it remained committed to strict enforcement of aviation safety and security rules.

“We have decided to draw a line after these clemencies,” he said. “Government will never pander to base sentiments or politically-motivated views when there is a clear breach of our laws.”