Ibom Air passenger remanded in Kirikiri until October 6 over ‘assault, property damage’

A magistrate court in Ogba, Lagos, has ordered the remand of Comfort Emmanson, the passenger who assaulted airline officials on an Ibom Air flight inbound to Lagos from Uyo, in Kirikiri correctional centre until October 6.

O.O. Salami, the presiding magistrate, ordered Emmanson’s remand shortly after she was arraigned by the police on Monday.

Emmanson is facing a five-count charge bordering on assault and wilful damage to property.

According to the charge sheet seen by TheCable, she allegedly shouted at the top of her voice, abused and assaulted flight crew members, and refused to disembark from the aircraft after landing—an offence said to contravene section 4(1)(a) and punishable under section 4(2) of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Byelaw, 2005.

The defendant was also accused of slapping one Juliana Edward and hitting her cheeks with her right hand, in violation of sections 170(1)(a)(b) and 172 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

In a separate count, Emmanson allegedly hit another person, Jokpame Sagun, in the face with her slippers.

She is also charged with wilfully damaging an aircraft divider curtain valued at $2,500 belonging to Ibom Air and tearing a braided wig valued at N110,000, said to belong to Juliana Comfort.

The offences, according to the prosecution, contravene sections 170, 172, and 350 of the Lagos State Criminal Law.

Videos circulating on social media showed an enraged Emmanson attacking flight attendants on an Ibom Air plane and confronting airport security officials.

Ibom Air said the incident began shortly before take-off from Uyo when the passenger refused to comply with standard aviation safety procedures requiring her to switch off her mobile phone.

The airline said a fellow passenger seated beside her took the phone and switched it off, prompting a verbal tirade from Emmanson.

The aviation company said upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson proceeded to confront the purser who had earlier instructed her to switch off her phone and physically assaulted her.

Ibom Air said her conduct posed a serious threat to the safety of its crew, passengers, and aircraft.

The airline has since imposed a travel restriction on her, adding that she will no longer be allowed to fly on any of its aircraft.