By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly criticised Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) for their handling of an incident involving passenger Comfort Emmanson on an Ibom Air flight on August 10, 2025, describing the actions taken against her — including a lifetime flight ban — as “reckless,” “unlawful,” and a violation of her dignity.
In a statement signed by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, and General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the association said Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, publicly stripped of her clothing, and humiliated in an incident that was filmed and widely circulated online.
“The treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson by Ibom Air was reckless and violated her right to dignity,” the statement read. “Such conduct is degrading, breaches her privacy, and falls far short of the standards of civility and professionalism expected in the aviation industry. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be treated in such a dehumanising manner.”
The NBA noted that while Ibom Air had issued its account of events, other footage appeared to show a flight attendant preventing Emmanson from leaving the aircraft — an act the association said could amount to false imprisonment and a provocation that may have escalated the situation. It called for an independent and impartial investigation before any disciplinary measures are enforced.
The association also faulted the lifetime ban imposed on Emmanson, arguing that she was denied the opportunity to defend herself.
“The decision to impose a lifetime ban without affording Ms. Emmanson a fair hearing is troubling. Ibom Air has so far only presented its version of events without giving her the chance to respond,” the statement said. “This one-sided process, culminating in a ban supported by AON, breaches the fundamental principle of fair hearing and is both legally and morally indefensible.”
The NBA further condemned the capturing and online distribution of indecent images of Emmanson, describing it as an egregious invasion of privacy and a criminal act.
“Even if the incident was to be reported, the footage should have been blurred to protect her nudity. Those responsible for recording and disseminating the unedited material must be identified and prosecuted,” the association added, warning that such acts erode public trust and undermine citizens’ rights to dignity and respect.
