NBA President Finally Breaks Silence Over Comfort Emmanson Saga, Makes One Request
- Nigerian Bar Association President Afam Osigwe has criticised Ibom Air over its handling of a passenger dispute involving Comfort Emmanson
- He called for urgent retraining of the airline’s crew and a review of procedures for passenger bans
- Osigwe warned that failure to adopt civil and legal approaches could damage the reputation of Nigeria’s aviation sector
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has urged Ibom Air to retrain its cabin crew following a controversial incident involving the airline’s air hostesses and a female passenger, Comfort Emmanson.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Thursday, Osigwe criticised the airline’s handling of the situation and called for a reassessment of crew etiquette and disciplinary procedures.
Source: Twitter
Osigwe urges review of airline ban procedures
During the televised interview, Osigwe stressed the importance of holding a formal meeting to discuss the proper conduct of airline staff and the legal framework surrounding passenger bans. He questioned the legality and civility of the process by which Emmanson was reportedly banned, a decision that has since been reversed.
The NBA President condemned the actions of the crew members who filmed the passenger during the altercation, stating that they had exposed her “nudity and further degraded her, subjecting her to public ridicule”.
Call for comprehensive training of airline staff
Osigwe emphasised the need for continuous education and retraining of cabin crew to ensure professional and respectful handling of onboard incidents. “Airlines need to educate the air cabin crew,” he said, criticising “the conduct they exhibited and their overly sensitivity to incidents they should let slide, and their inability to ignore some things to de-escalate situations. Their language, tone and approach are unnecessary”.
He also highlighted the shared responsibility of both crew and passengers in maintaining order during flights, noting that passengers must be aware of their legal obligations while onboard. “So, there is the need for training for everyone on the aircraft and everyone has a responsibility to carry out to ensure orderly conduct and behaviour on the aircraft,” he added.
Kwam 1 case raises questions of fairness
Referencing a separate incident involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, Osigwe pointed out inconsistencies in how Ibom Air handled passenger behaviour. He noted that while Ayinde’s actions allegedly posed a threat to fellow passengers, it was Emmanson—who was reportedly the victim—who received a ban.
Osigwe concluded that implementing proper training and legal procedures would help prevent future conflicts, uphold passenger dignity, and protect the reputation of Ibom Air and the broader Nigerian aviation sector.
NBA names who can override Tinubu
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said that the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state by President Bola Tinubu cannot last more than two days if the National Assembly is in session and ten days if they are not.
This was disclosed in a statement by the NBA president Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) on Tuesday night, March 18, suggesting that Governor Fubara has the chance of returning to power earlier than the six months President Tinubu announced in his broadcast.
Source: Legit.ng
