On Monday, August 11, Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger, was remanded in the Kirikiri correctional facility and placed on a lifetime no-fly ban over an incident between her and the airline’s staff member.
Since news of this broke out, Nigerians on various social media platforms have compared the outcome of Emmanson’s case to that of popular Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (popularly known as KWAM 1), who was in a similar situation some days ago.
This article breaks down what happened in both cases and how the authorities reacted. We also examine the legality of Emmason’s detention and the no-fly ban.
KWAM 1’s situation
On Wednesday, August 6, videos circulated on social media showing KWAM 1 in what appeared to be a scuffle with the staff of Valujet Airline over his attempt to board a flight with a liquid suspected to be alcohol, which is prohibited according to Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Security Programme and ICAO Annex 17.
Shortly after, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) released a statement saying KWAM 1 had indeed breached aviation regulations.
According to FAAN spokesperson, Obiageli Orah, KWAM 1 attempted to bring an alcohol-filled flask aboard the flight but was told by a flight attendant to comply with aviation rules, which banned liquids above 100ml.
The Fuji singer reportedly refused and proceeded to pour the liquid on the officer, who later confirmed it to be alcohol.
The singer was also seen in viral videos blocking the aeroplane from takeoff with his body while the pilot on duty attempted to proceed.
Outcome of KWAM 1’s situation
On Wednesday, August 6, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended the two pilots involved in the incident for breach of safety protocols.
Following public outrage over KWAM 1’s actions, as seen in the viral videos, he was placed on a six-month no-fly ban on Wednesday. However, the next day, Thursday, August 7, it was reversed to an indefinite ban, which will be decided pending the conclusion of an investigation.
In a statement released on Wednesday through his spokesperson, Kunle Rasheed, KWAM 1 dismissed the allegations, claiming they were exaggerated.
But on Friday, August 9, he released another statement through his spokesperson, apologising for the incident, which he described as “unfortunate,” maintaining that the liquid was not alcohol.
“Unknown to many, I suffer from chronic dehydration, and my doctor strongly advised that I remain constantly hydrated. This is why I always carry a water flask with me. And contrary to the negative narrative circulated in some quarters, the flask I carried on that particular day contained only water, not alcohol, as wrongly alleged,” he said in part.
Following his apology, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, posted the singer’s apology on her official X account, calling for his forgiveness.
The post drew criticism from many Nigerians, who questioned why a government official was making a case for the singer.
Comfort Emmanson’s situation
KWAM 1’s case was still under discussion when another viral video surfaced on social media on Monday, August 11. The video shows a similar incident between an Ibom Air passenger identified as Comfort Emmanson.
In an initial video, Emmanson was seen in a physical altercation with a female airline staff member who appeared ruffled.
In another video, Emmanson was seen physically resisting other airline staff attempting to take her away. Her blouse, which was torn in the process, indecently exposed her body.
Outcome of Comfort Emmanson’s situation
Shortly after the video made rounds on social media, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood, released a statement saying Emmanson had been charged to court and remanded in the Kirikiri correctional facility.
The same day, the spokesperson of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Obiora Okonkwo, released a statement announcing that it had placed a lifetime no-fly ban on Emmanson.
“The incident, which Ibom Air described, from the initial refusal by the passenger to comply with safety instructions regarding mobile phone usage, which led to the brutal physical assault on Ibom Air crew members and the attempted use of a fire extinguisher as a weapon.”
“She is hereby banned from flying with any AON member, either domestically or internationally, for life,” the statement read in part.
Selective Justice?
Following the announcement of Emmanson’s detention and lifetime ban, Nigerians on social media pointed out the disparities in how authorities handled her case and how they handled that of KWAM 1
Another video suggests Comfort Emmanson may have been treated poorly
Following the announcement of Emmanson’s lifetime no-fly ban and detention, more videos surfaced online, showing the Ibom Air passenger may have been treated badly by the airline staff. In one of the videos, the female hostess in the earlier video could be seen blocking the aircraft’s entrance, preventing Emmanson from exiting, while Emmanson asked to be let out.
Eyewitnesses back Emmanson
As Nigerians called out Nigerian authorities for their treatment of Comfort Emmanson, more evidence which absolved the female passenger of some blame began to surface.
Emmanson’s detention is illegal
Since the escalation of Emmanson’s detention and no-fly ban, Nigerians have debated the legality of the measures taken against her.
Speaking on the issue, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Dr. Monday Ubani clarified that her detention goes against her right to a fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
“The AON’s unilateral action, without affording the passenger an opportunity to be heard, breaches the principle of audi alteram partem,” Ubani said, pointing out that the no-fly ban also violated her flights to movement within and outside Nigeria.
“The AON’s unilateral action to impose a lifetime industry-wide ban, without affording the passenger the opportunity to be heard, violates the principle of audi alteram partem.”
“While an individual airline may refuse carriage to a passenger for safety reasons under its contractual rights, an industry-wide lifetime ban by a trade association like AON amounts to a de facto travel ban. This type of sanction has nationwide and international implications.
The life-time ban constitutes a restriction on a constitutional right without a court order,” he continued.
Human rights lawyer, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has also called out the illegalities spotted in the issue.
In a post on his official X page, Odinkalu shared a photo of Emmanson’s remand order, pointing out that the date used is illegal.
Not the first time
While Nigerians continue to highlight the disparity in how KWAM 1 and Emmanson’s situation is handled in hopes that it will be rectified, there is a probability that it won’t, as this is not the first time Nigerian authorities have acted selectively in delivering justice.
In January 2025, for instance, Raheem Okoya, son of billionaire businessman Chief Razaq Okoya, was seen in a viral video engaging in Naira abuse at an event. However, he was not detained or imprisoned like others who had committed the crime before him. Instead, he was let off after he tendered a public apology, just as popular musician and close associate of Bola Tinubu Kwam 1, has done.
Similarly, in May 2025, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, was seen abusing the Naira in a viral video. Nigerians called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) to punish Tompolo like it had done to other culprits, but this never happened.
What can you do to change the story?
While it is true that Nigerian authorities are selective in their duties, citizens can also compel them to do the right thing. In Kwam 1 and Emmanson’s case, you can do either of the following:
- Talk about it on social media and pressure the government to release Comfort Emmanson from the Kirikiri correctional facility.
- Use social media to pressure the government to do due diligence with Kwam 1 and follow through with it
- Create online petitions calling on the appropriate authorities to release Emmanson, properly investigate the matter, penalise all parties fairly and accordingly. You can create an online campaign here.
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