The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has announced that the Police has arraigned Ms Comfort Emmanson at the Ikeja Magistrates Court for criminal offences and remanded her at Kirikiri Prisons as she could not provide adequate sueties in court.
On his X account, he also said the staff who released the video which contained Emmanson’s private part will be sanctioned.
In addition, the Minister instructed airlines to train their staff on relating with passengers and how to handle issues of misconduct.
He informed aggrieved passengers to get a approach the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) officers and make complaints.
“Consequently, in the last few hours, I have been speaking with the Commissioner of Police of the Airport Police Command, the DG of the NCAA and his team, the MD of FAAN and her team, the Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air and his team about the incident.
“Apart from the indefinite flight ban imposed on the said unruly passenger (both local and international) by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) the Police has promptly arraigned her this morning at the Ikeja Magistrates Court for criminal offences and remanded her at Kirikiri Prisons as she could not provide adequate sureties in court. I have attached the Charge Sheet and Remand Order for clarity.
“We also note the scuffle that took place between the unruly passenger and ground personnel before she was eventually subdued. This was because of her uncooperative attitude. Whilst we support the filming of her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence to prosecute her, what is DEPLORABLE is to release such evidence containing indecent exposure to the public to ridicule her. That is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE to us. We will not fold our arms and tolerate the debasing of womanhood. I have therefore directed that whoever RELEASED that part of the video containing the indecent exposure amongst the staff should be singled out and adequately sanctioned.
“I have also directed that the airlines must continue to train and retrain their staff in public relations and how to deal with potentially explosive situations in order to diffuse them promptly or nip them in the bud, except when it becomes inevitable. I have also directed a joint security meeting between relevant agencies next week for better coordination of security measures in situations like this or similar ones we witnessed recently.
“For genuinely aggrieved passengers, there are clearly laid-down to address grievances. The Consumer Protection Directorate of the NCAA has consistently advertised these remedies and there is no point trying to take the laws into one’s hands that may lead to dire consequences.
“We will continue to apply equal sanctions available to us in Aviation on any such erring passengers, that is lengthy flight bans and report the mremediesatters to other law-enforcement agencies to do their bit within their powers.”, he wrote.
The FAAN also advised passengers to acquaint themselves with the Passengers’ Rights and Responsibilities, and Airlines Obligations as published by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Bye Laws.
The FAAN Director Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah who said this in a press release declared that moving forward, the Authority will not hesitate to implement relevant sanctions as stipulated in ICAO Annex 17, Nigenan Civil Aviation Regulations especially Part 17 and FAAN Bye Laws against any form of disruptive or threatening behaviour within airport premises.
According to Orah, FAAN is also reviewing its protocols around restraining and prosecuting of passengers in line with the Airport Approved Security Programme and relevant laws.
She added that regarding the recent incident involving a passenger on Ibom Air, while the situation was initially managed by security personnel at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Domestic Terminal 2 (MM2). the FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) team has since intervened, taken the individual into custody, and handed her over to the Nigerian Police Force for further investigation and prosecution.
“FAAN once again urges all intending passengers to conduct themselves in a civil and orderly manner and to adhere to all established airport and airline regulations. The safcty, security, and comfort of all airport users remain our top priority, and nets of inappropriate behaviour will be met with the full weight of applicable laws and protocols.”, she wrote.
That level design was chef’s kiss! Really encourages aggressive play. Thinking about trying out new platforms – heard good things about 49jili com & their mobile app for quick sessions. Seamless integration is key!