Nigerian Bar Association Condemns Ibom Air’s Treatment Of Passenger, Demands Reversal Of Lifetime Ban.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a strong condemnation of Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) for their handling of an incident involving Ms. Comfort Emmanson on a flight from Uyo to Lagos on 10 August 2025. The association has called for the immediate withdrawal of a lifetime flight ban imposed on her, describing the airline’s actions as “reckless, unlawful, and a grave affront to human dignity.”
According to a statement signed by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and General Secretary Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, publicly stripped of her clothing, and subjected to humiliation that was filmed and widely circulated online. The NBA labelled this treatment as a violation of her constitutional rights to dignity and privacy, falling far below the standards of professionalism expected in the aviation sector. The association stressed that no individual, regardless of the circumstances, should endure such dehumanising treatment.
Emerging video evidence suggests a cabin crew member prevented Ms. Emmanson from disembarking, an act the NBA argues could constitute false imprisonment and may have escalated the situation. The association has called for an independent investigation by aviation authorities to establish the facts before any sanctions are applied. The NBA criticised the lifetime ban as a breach of the right to a fair hearing, noting that Ibom Air’s account remains untested and that only statutory regulators, not private airlines or trade bodies, have the authority to impose such measures.
The circulation of unedited footage exposing Ms. Emmanson’s nudity was described as a “criminal act” and an “egregious invasion of privacy.” The NBA urged authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible for recording and sharing the images, which it said erodes public trust and undermines citizens’ rights to respect and dignity.
The NBA demanded that Ibom Air immediately lift the ban, issue a public apology to Ms. Emmanson, and cooperate with a government-led inquiry. It also called on the Minister of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to conduct a thorough investigation, sanction those found culpable, and enforce strict adherence to passenger rights. The association pledged to provide Ms. Emmanson with pro bono legal support to ensure justice is served.
This incident has sparked widespread debate, with the NBA’s intervention highlighting the need for accountability and respect for human rights in Nigeria’s aviation industry. The association vowed to remain vigilant, stating, “Respect for human dignity and the rule of law must never be compromised, and in this matter, justice must prevail.”
