By Femi Anamelechi
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned in strong terms the treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson aboard an Ibom Air flight on August 10, 2025, describing the airline’s actions , including a lifetime ban supported by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) as reckless, unlawful, and a gross violation of her right to dignity.In a statement signed by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the association expressed outrage over reports that Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and humiliated in an incident captured and circulated online.The NBA noted that such conduct constitutes a degrading and inhumane treatment that violates her dignity and privacy. NBA also cited video evidence suggesting that an Ibom Air hostess prevented Ms. Emmanson from disembarking an act that could amount to false imprisonment and possible provocation.
The association further faulted Ibom Air’s decision to impose a lifetime ban without granting her a fair hearing, stressing that such disciplinary measures can only be enforced by the appropriate statutory regulator, not private airline operators or associations acting unilaterally.The body also, unequivocally condemned the public release of indecent footage of Ms. Emmanson, calling it a criminal invasion of privacy and demanded the identification and prosecution of those responsible for filming and circulating the unedited images.The association urged Ibom Air to immediately lift the ban, issue a public apology, and cooperate with an impartial investigation by the Minister for Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and relevant security agencies.Pledging pro bono legal support to Ms. Emmanson. The NBA vowed to ensure her rights are upheld, stressing that “respect for human dignity and the rule of law must never be compromised, and in this matter, justice must prevail.”
