The Federal Government has withdrawn criminal complaints against Fuji music icon, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, and Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour aboard an Ibom Air flight.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the decision on Wednesday after consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector. He said the move followed a review of the incidents, appeals from prominent Nigerians, and the remorse expressed by those involved.
On the August 10 Ibom Air incident, Keyamo confirmed that the airline agreed to withdraw its complaint against Emmanson, who was being held at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
“Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week,” the minister stated.
He also revealed that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had agreed to lift the lifetime ban previously placed on her.
For KWAM 1, who was sanctioned over an altercation at Abuja airport on August 5, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will cut his flight ban to one month, while the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will engage him as an ambassador for airport security protocols.
“In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period… the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against him earlier lodged with the Police,” Keyamo said.
The same one-month suspension will apply to ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, whose licences will be restored after mandatory professional reappraisal.
Keyamo added that a retreat will be held next week to retrain aviation security personnel on handling disruptive passengers and to improve airline staff conduct towards travellers.
Emphasising that the clemencies were granted on compassionate grounds, the minister stressed:
“Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws is involved. We have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.”
