Fresh developments have emerged in the case of Comfort Emmanson, the passenger at the centre of a viral altercation with Ibom Air officials, as new eyewitness testimony could shift the narrative and potentially lead to her compensation.
Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), disclosed on Wednesday that a passenger who sat directly beside Emmanson during the incident has come forward with his account. The witness, who submitted his boarding pass to confirm his presence on the flight, reportedly provided details that differ from earlier versions of events.
Achimugu said the NCAA has issued a Letter of Investigation to Ibom Air and will convene a meeting with the airline and eyewitnesses to thoroughly examine the case.
“Some aspects of the witness’s testimony offer an opportunity to look at other perspectives, particularly the behaviour of other parties involved and the manner of passenger handling before the flight took off,” he stated.
The NCAA official emphasised that the authority remains committed to protecting the rights of all stakeholders in the aviation sector and will ensure that every culpable party — including airline staff and security personnel — is held accountable.
“There is a lot to unbundle, and we will get to the root of it. Rest assured that every culpable party in this case will be held accountable,” Achimugu added.
The emerging evidence may lead to a review of the incident, opening the door for possible compensation to Emmanson for alleged assault, humiliation, and emotional trauma.
Public outrage over the case has been growing, with civil society groups and the Grand Council of Ikpaisong Ibibio calling for justice, an apology from Ibom Air, and reforms in airline passenger handling procedures to prioritise dignity and human rights.
The NCAA’s findings, once concluded, could also prompt changes in how airlines manage on-board disputes in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Leave a Reply