Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has announced that criminal complaints against Ms. Comfort Emmanson and Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) have been withdrawn following separate incidents of unruly conduct at airports.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Keyamo said the decision came after 48 hours of consultations with major aviation stakeholders. He acknowledged that while the incidents were unfortunate, they served as a wake-up call for both the public and the aviation industry on proper conduct in airports.
On the August 10 Ibom Air incident, Keyamo noted that Emmanson expressed genuine remorse in her police statement, prompting the airline to drop its complaint. He directed that steps be taken to secure her release from Kirikiri Correctional Centre within the week. Additionally, after discussions with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the minister confirmed that the lifetime ban on Emmanson would be lifted, with further details to be released by AON.
In KWAM 1’s case, the NCAA has agreed to reduce his no-fly sanction to one month and will withdraw its criminal complaint to the police. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will also partner with the singer to promote awareness of airport security protocols.
Keyamo further disclosed that the pilots involved in the ValueJet case—Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba—will have their licenses reinstated after serving a one-month suspension and completing a professional review.
The minister also announced a retreat next week for aviation security personnel, aimed at improving how they manage disruptive passengers and defuse tense situations. The session will be open to the press, and airlines will also take part in a review of staff–passenger relations.
Keyamo stressed that these decisions were made on compassionate grounds, not out of political pressure, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to safety and security in the aviation sector. He added that this act of clemency marks a final line, with the expectation of strict adherence to aviation rules going forward.
