The Nigerian Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has announced the withdrawal of criminal complaints against Ms. Comfort Emmanson and popular musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, known as KWAM 1, following recent disruptions at Nigerian airports.
Minister Festus Keyamo, SAN, revealed that after extensive consultations with aviation stakeholders over 48 hours, the decision was made with a focus on compassion and public awareness.
Ms. Emmanson, who was remanded in Kirikiri Prison after an unruly incident on an Ibom Air flight on August 10, 2025, had the complaint withdrawn by Ibom Air after she expressed remorse during her police statement.
Police and prosecutors are facilitating her release this week.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria also agreed to lift the lifetime ban previously imposed on her, a move the minister said was motivated purely by humanitarian considerations.
In a similar development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) reduced KWAM 1’s flight ban to one month and withdrew its criminal complaint after the musician publicly apologized for his behavior during an incident involving ValueJet.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will appoint KWAM 1 as an ambassador to promote proper airport security protocols.
NCAA reinstated the licenses of ValueJet’s pilot Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba after their one-month suspension and required professional reappraisal.
Minister Keyamo stressed that these events highlighted the urgent need for enhanced training and awareness within the aviation sector.
He directed relevant agencies to hold a retreat next week aimed at retraining security personnel on managing disruptive passengers and de-escalating tensions.
Airlines will also implement sessions to improve staff conduct toward travellers.
The minister emphasized that the clemency granted is a one-time gesture to foster public education and is not politically motivated.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing aviation laws strictly moving forward and underlined the importance of restoring professionalism and order while showing compassion toward those who demonstrate remorse.