The aviation world has been buzzing after a recent airport incident involving Ayinde Wasiu, famously known as KWAM 1, and Comfort Emmanson.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stepped in and dropped criminal charges against both of them after strong public reactions.
Keyamo shared in a statement that he had spoken with key players in the aviation industry and people affected by the incident over the last couple of days.
He mentioned that these incidents, though unfortunate, have become learning experiences for travelers and staff alike on how important it is to act appropriately and handle security issues professionally at airports.
He also ordered the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, and the Police Prosecutor to work quickly on getting Emmanson out of Kirikiri Prisons by the end of the week.
Resolving the Unruly Behavior
Thanks to an appeal from Keyamo, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) decided to remove the lifetime no-fly ban on Emmanson.
As for the well-known Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe, Keyamo instructed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to cut his flight ban down to one month.
In another twist, ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, who faced consequences due to the incident, will have their flight licenses back after a month-long suspension. They will also go through a mandatory professional evaluation.
Meanwhile, a court in Lagos, under Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami, cleared Emmanson of all charges when the police withdrew their case.
Having been released, Emmanson no longer faces the five charges previously filed against her.
New Roles and Legal Reforms
Still, Festus Keyamo defended his decision to make Wasiu Ayinde a public ambassador for teaching proper airport security protocols.
Keyamo clarified: “For further clarification, it is a common practice all over the world that a repentant offender is made to preach publicly against the exact conduct from which he has repented. It is akin to community service. It is not paid for, and it is voluntary service.”
The AON is also considering appointing Emmanson as their ambassador to encourage good behaviour among passengers.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) criticized how Emmanson was handled, saying her rights to dignity, movement, and due process were ignored.
On another note, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) called for a complete reform of Nigeria’s airline operations, emphasizing the need to better protect passenger rights.
NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), expressed his concerns during a recent press briefing, denouncing what was shown in viral videos as a grave violation of human dignity and privacy.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment💬, share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
