The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has revealed that a verified eyewitness has come forward to provide a first-hand account of the altercation between female passenger Comfort Emmanson and an Ibom Air crew member.
The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, made this known in a post on (link unavailable) on Wednesday.
This development follows Achimugu’s earlier post on Tuesday, where he appealed for other passengers aboard the August 10 Ibom Air Uyo-Lagos flight to come forward with verifiable accounts “in the interest of justice and fairness.”
According to Achimugu, the witness, who sat directly beside Emmanson during the flight, contacted him, provided a boarding pass for verification, and offered testimony that sheds new light on the events before the plane’s departure.
“The passenger seated right next to the lady in the viral videos has contacted me (also sent in his boarding pass) and given his account of the events that transpired on the aircraft before departure,” Achimugu said.
He added, “Some aspects of his testimony offer an opportunity to look at other perspectives of this case, especially the behaviour of other actors involved and the manner of passenger handling before the flight took off.”
Achimugu stated that although the witness would release a personal statement later in the day, the NCAA had issued a Letter of Investigation to Ibom Air and would invite the airline and other eyewitnesses to a meeting.
“Although he says he will release a statement later today, the Authority has issued an LOI to Ibom Air and will invite both airline and eye witnesses to a meeting,” he said. He expressed satisfaction that a verifiable witness had come forward, saying, “One is glad that a truly verifiable witness has come forward, and his statement makes me glad not to have listened to most of the fake audios and claims flying around social media.”
Achimugu assured that the NCAA would get to the root of the matter and hold every culpable party accountable. “There is a lot to unbundle, and we will get to the root of it. Rest assured that every culpable party in this case will be held accountable.”
The NCAA spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the NCAA to protecting the rights of all aviation stakeholders.
“Every data gathered from conversations and investigations is to assist in identifying the gaps and fixing them. Mediation is an acceptable form of conflict resolution, and the Minister has shown leadership as usual. The Authority will continue to protect the rights of all aviation consumers,” he concluded.
In a related development, the Federal Government has withdrawn its criminal complaint against Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behavior aboard an Ibom Air flight. Additionally, the flight ban imposed on Fuji music star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, has been reduced.
Minister Festus Keyamo announced these decisions on Wednesday, stating that the resolutions were reached after reviewing the incidents, considering appeals from well-meaning individuals, and taking into account the remorse shown by those involved. Keyamo also revealed that Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint against Emmanson, who was arrested over the August 10 incident.
