The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has faulted Ibom Air over its handling of Ms. Comfort Emmanson during an incident on 10 August 2025, describing the airline’s conduct and the lifetime ban imposed on her as unlawful and unacceptable.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the NBA said Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public and humiliated, with the incident recorded and shared online.
“The treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson by Ibom Air was reckless and violated her right to dignity of human person,” the statement read.
The NBA said video footage also showed an Ibom Air hostess preventing Ms. Emmanson from alighting from the aircraft, warning that the act could amount to false imprisonment and provocation.
It insisted that the case should be subjected to independent investigation before any disciplinary action is taken.
It criticised the decision to impose a lifetime ban without granting Ms. Emmanson the opportunity to respond, saying only the statutory regulator, not private operators, has the authority to suspend or restrict a passenger’s right to fly.
The statement also condemned the photographing and online circulation of indecent images of Ms. Emmanson, describing it as a criminal invasion of privacy and calling for the prosecution of those responsible.
The NBA urged Ibom Air to withdraw the lifetime ban, issue a public apology and cooperate with impartial investigators. It called on the Minister for Aviation and relevant agencies to conduct a full inquiry and sanction anyone found culpable.
The association added that it would offer Ms. Emmanson pro bono legal support to protect her rights and ensure she receives redress.
