FG Explains Why Kwam 1’s Air Disruption Case Differs from Comfort Emmanson’s Assault Trial

The Federal Government has addressed public criticism over perceived selective justice in handling two recent in-flight incidents, one involving Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde (Kwam 1), and the other, Comfort Emmanson, a female passenger accused of assaulting Ibom Air crew.

The Sunday Ibom Air Uyo–Lagos incident sparked outrage, with many questioning why Emmanson was swiftly charged and remanded, while Kwam 1, who allegedly disrupted a ValueJet aircraft in Abuja last week, was not prosecuted.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Mike Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said the two cases are legally different.

“In the Kwam 1 incident, the airline did not activate its rights to take the passenger to court, so the NCAA petitioned the authorities to petition the passenger. In the Ibom Air incident, perhaps because their staff were assaulted, the airline immediately activated its right to take up the matter, and it went to court,” Achimugu explained.

Achimugu clarified that contrary to earlier reports, Kwam 1 was not given a six-month ban but placed on an indefinite suspension from flying pending investigations. The NCAA also advised the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to bar him from flights.

On Comfort Emmanson’s life ban from flying Ibom Air, Achimugu stated that airline operators are legally within their rights to impose such penalties on passengers who breach conduct rules.