…Alleges breach of fundamental rights
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger involved in last Sunday’s incident aboard an Ibom Air flight, describing it as unlawful, degrading, and a violation of her fundamental rights.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), and Secretary-General, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the NBA described the lifetime flight ban imposed on Ms. Emmanson by Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) as “arbitrary and unjust.”
The association further demanded the arrest and prosecution of those who recorded and circulated the unedited video footage that exposed the passenger’s nudity online.
“It is deeply disturbing that Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and subjected to humiliation that was filmed and shared online,” the NBA said. “Such conduct violates her right to dignity and privacy and falls far short of the standards expected in the aviation sector.”
The NBA insisted that no disciplinary action should have been taken against Ms. Emmanson without affording her a fair hearing, describing the lifetime ban as “legally and morally indefensible.” The body also pointed out that the power to restrict a passenger’s right to fly rests with statutory regulators, not private airlines or associations.
Calling for an independent investigation into the incident, the NBA urged the immediate withdrawal of the ban and a public apology from Ibom Air. The association pledged to provide Ms. Emmanson with free legal representation to ensure her rights are protected and that she secures redress for the violations suffered.
“The photographing and circulation of Ms. Emmanson’s indecent images is a criminal act,” the statement added. “Those responsible must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted.”
The NBA also called on the Minister of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough inquiry and sanction all those found culpable.
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