Unruly airport incidents: Inside FG’s reprieve for KWAM 1, Comfort Emmanson

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Federal Government on Wednesday granted reprieve to Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde, aka KWAM 1 and a lady, Comfort Emmanson who were involved in unruly airport incidents.

KWAM I was involved in an unruly behaviour when he tried to stop a flight operated by domestic airline, ValueJet from taking off at the Abuja Airport last Tuesday after he was stopped from taking a water bottle into the plane.

Consequently, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA had imposed indefinite flight ban on him.

The NCAA had also on Tuesday petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police to investigate KWAM 1 and domestic airline, ValueJet.

‎According to the NCAA, the incident, which occurred on Tuesday reportedly disrupted standard operational procedures and raised concerns over passenger conduct and airline safety protocols.

On the other hand, Emmenson was involved in fisticuffs with the crew of Ibom Air over alleged failure to put off her phone on a flight from Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State to Lagos last Sunday. The situation however escalated when the plane landed in Lagos as she was seen in a viral video fight off airport officials who tried to arrest her.

Her clothes got torn in the process, thus exposing a sensitive part of her body.

However, she was promptly arraigned before a magistrate court and remanded in prison till October over the incident.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo announced new decisions that have been taken over the incidents.

He said the decisions were taken following review of the incidents and appeals made by well-meaning individuals.

He also noted that the actors involved in the incidents have shown remorse.

The Minister also noted that the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.

Consequently, Keyamo said he has conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the criminal complaints against Comfort Emmanson today.

“When the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct,” the Minister said.

He added that subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.

He said he as also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed.

“The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently”

In the case of ValueJet, the Minister said NCAA is to reduce the flight ban on KWAM I to a one-month period.

He added that the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, AFAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.

“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.”

The Minister further added that the licenses of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET suspended by the NCAA after the incident will be restored after the same period of one-month ban.

He, however, said the Captain and the co-pilot will undergo some mandatory professional re-appraisal, details of which will be announced by the NCAA.

To curb such incidents, Keyamo added that he has directed all relevant aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation to do a retreat next week to properly retrain and prepare our aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations.

“The retreat will be fully covered by the Press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.

He added that the the Airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public will be in full focus.

“Thee above decisions were taken by Government and the airline operators purely on COMPASSIONATE grounds as Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.

“We are also sending a CLEAR MESSAGE that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies,” Keyamo said.