The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has clarified that it was not involved in pressing charges against Ms Comfort Emmanson, the passenger banned for allegedly assaulting an Ibom Air crew member.
Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mike Achimugu, said the decision to take legal action was made solely by Ibom Air.
Achimugu explained that the NCAA only intervenes when necessary and within its mandate. He contrasted the case with that of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde (Kwam 1), where the airline chose not to prosecute. In that instance, the NCAA petitioned the authorities for prosecution and advised the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to impose a flight ban.
“Maybe because their staff had been assaulted, the airline immediately activated its right to take up the matter, and it went to court. So the NCAA is not involved in the case of the Ibom Air passenger,” Achimugu said.
He stressed that both incidents show weaknesses in the aviation system, with “enough blame to go around FAAN, AVSEC, cabin crew, and passengers.” He reiterated that unruly behaviour is unacceptable worldwide and urged passengers to follow crew instructions for safety.
Achimugu also noted reports that other passengers seized and switched off Emmanson’s phone during the confrontation.
The AON has since imposed a lifetime no-fly ban on Emmanson across all member airlines. The association warned that similar conduct would attract the same penalty.
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