Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has strongly criticized Ibom Air’s decision to impose a lifetime flying ban on a young female passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, over what he described as an “unacceptable” but forgivable incident.
Breakingng.com had on Monday reported that a female passenger (Comfort Emmanson) who was accused of attacking Ibom Air hostess during a flight from Uyo to Lagos has been arraigned in court and ordered to be held at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
The passenger is facing charges after a viral video captured her engaging in a heated physical exchange with flight attendants and airport security personnel.
READ ALSO: Ibom Air bans passenger for life after onboard assault on cabin crew
According to Ibom Air, the disturbance began when Emmanson allegedly refused to switch off her mobile phone before takeoff.
The situation escalated after another passenger reportedly turned off the device on her behalf, prompting her to confront them verbally.
Obi, who disclosed that he had personally apologised to the airline on behalf of the passenger, said he was “shocked” to learn that the 20-something-year-old woman had been banned for life without what he considered to be due process.
“Yesterday, I sincerely apologised to Ibom Air and its crew for the unacceptable conduct of one of their passengers,” Obi stated. “This morning, I woke up to learn that the passenger, the young Ms. Comfort Emmanson in her twenties, has been banned from flying for life—once again showing how our system works, proving the truth of Anacharsis’ words that ‘the law is like a spider’s web: it catches the weak, while the powerful break through with ease.’”
The former Anambra State governor questioned the fairness and speed of the airline’s action, arguing that the punishment appeared disproportionate and lacked transparency.
“There is everything systemically wrong and unjust about this authoritarian decision. What due process was followed overnight leading to this sanction? Have we exhausted the avenues of justice and compassionate resolution on this matter?” he asked.
Obi contrasted the swift action taken against Ms. Emmanson with what he called the culture of impunity enjoyed by the politically powerful.
“It is a tragic irony that a young lady in her twenties can be banned for life, while we—her parents—commit worse crimes against humanity and are celebrated; those in positions of authority perpetrate far greater offences that harm the nation deeply, yet move freely in comfort, shielded from consequences,” he said.
“In Ms. Emmanson’s case, the authorities acted with lightning speed, but the same urgency is absent when dealing with the influential and politically connected.”
While acknowledging that the passenger’s actions were wrong, Obi urged the airline and relevant authorities to consider the principles of rehabilitation, compassion, and fairness in their approach.
“If this young woman, who indeed acted wrongly, now seeks to apologise, who will hear her cry in a country where the pain of the poor is invisible and the dignity of the less privileged is often disregarded? Justice must be consistent, or it becomes oppression in disguise,” he said.
The LP chieftain concluded by calling for systemic reforms to ensure that justice in Nigeria is impartial.
“This must change. Justice must be equal for all. There must be room for compassion, for rehabilitation, and for understanding when misconduct stems from frustration or displaced aggression. Power must never determine who is punished and who is pardoned. May God heal our land,” Obi declared.
, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized Ibom Air’s decision to impose a lifetime flying ban on a young female passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, over what he described as an “unacceptable” but forgivable incident.){kind=link}