BREAKING : FG withdraws all criminal charges against comfort

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo has come up with a press statement, withdrawing the cri.minal charges against the embattled Comfort Emmamson after some public outcry.

Read his statement below :

“PRESS STATEMENT: DECISION TO WITHDRAW CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST MS. COMFORT EMMANSON AND TO ADDRESS RELATED MATTERS

1. In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent.

2. Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.

3. As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and those available to the public. It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.

5. Therefore, after reviewing the entire incidents, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors, the following decisions have been reached:

THE CASE OF IBOM AIRLINE AND MS. COMFORT EMMANSON

(a) In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against her today. When the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.

(b) Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.

(c) I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.

THE CASE OF VALUEJET AND WASIU AYINDE MARSHALL (KWAM 1)

(d) In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.

(e) Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.

(f) In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA.

AIRLINE OPERATORS, AVIATION AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

6. I have directed all relevant Aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation to IMMEDIATELY begin a retreat NEXT WEEK to properly retrain and prepare our Aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations. The retreat will be fully covered by the Press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.

7. The Airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public will be in full focus.

FINAL COMMENTS

8. These above decisions were taken by Government and the airline operators purely on COMPASSIONATE grounds as Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.

9. We are also sending a CLEAR MESSAGE that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.

FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK)

Wednesday, August 13, 2025”.

 

My analysis…. 

1. Don’t underestimate the the power of the social media…. Social media has become the strongest tool Nigerians use in getting some sort of justice especially after important personalities join mouth…. There’s likelihood, Tinubu guys would listen (good one on their part unlike the indolent Buhari).

2. The Federal Government in a bid to be smart by half, decided to press a reset button… Forgave comfort because of Kwam1.. They wouldn’t want to be seen punishing comfort without punishing kwam1…..

3. Why did the airline authorities rushed to put comfort into kirirkiri in the first instance without investigation?…. The public outcry has slapped their corrupt head.   

4. Comfort should Realize that people suddenly started supporting her not because she has the best of characters or public conduct but because people perceived violation of her rights, public humiliation…. That’s the only reason people, including the NBA came through for her…… She should go and work more on her temper..

5. Finally, making Kwam1 ValueJet ambassador was for what really? Rewarding him for wrongdoing? Would they also make Comfort #IbomAir ambassador? 

“Lol

someone stopped a plane from flying, but let’s make him airport security ambassador. Person wey suppose dey jail.

Pls, when will d Minister for defence also make Boko haram members security ambassadors??

Do u people sniff something before taking decisions in this country??”

This shows how this APC government reward bad behavior, do anything bad and they will reward you with a job….

Nonsense and ingredients……. “yeye dey smell” 

Good morning all…