Rights Advocate Predicts Ibom Airline’s Case Against Comfort Emmanson Will Collapse

Human rights advocate Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen has claimed that the criminal case filed against Comfort Emmanson by Ibom Airline will not hold in court, predicting that the charges will eventually be withdrawn. 

“They will be withdrawn, and the airline will do something behind the scenes,” Agberen said in a statement, warning that the matter could expose the airline to multiple legal claims.

He urged Nigerians not to rush to deliver “social media verdicts” on the incident, regardless of Emmanson’s occupation or appearance, stressing that public opinion often rushes to judgment without all the facts.

Agberen appealed to Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, Minister of Aviation & Aerospace, to intervene and secure Emmanson’s release from Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos, where she is being held for failing to provide the required sureties after her arrest.
He also said the woman should receive the support and resources she needs to recover from the ordeal.

The activist condemned the airline for what he described as “unprofessional conduct” towards Emmanson. The controversy began after a reported altercation between the woman and Ibom Airline staff, during which her nude photos and videos were allegedly recorded and leaked on social media.

Agberen accused the judiciary of prioritizing minor offenses while allowing high-profile financial crimes to go unpunished:

“Those who embezzle public funds walk freely and even influence judicial decisions, yet a case like this gets swift and decisive attention.”

He argued that Emmanson became the victim the moment the aircraft crew refused to let her disembark, insisting that subsequent events were “legal wrongs committed against her.”