NBA Condemns Treatment of Ibom Air Passenger Comfort Emmanson

President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, SAN, has criticised the handling of Comfort Emmanson during her removal from an Ibom Air flight, calling it degrading and unacceptable.

In a statement posted on his verified Twitter account, Osigwe said, “Nobody ought to be treated in the manner she was treated, being dragged on the floor… there are better and more decent ways of effecting her removal from the airplane.”

His comments follow the circulation of video footage showing security personnel pulling Emmanson along the floor after an altercation with crew members on an August 10 Uyo–Lagos flight. Ibom Air alleged that she refused to switch off her phone, assaulted two crew members, and attempted to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon.

While the airline and the Airline Operators of Nigeria defended the removal as a safety measure, Osigwe urged aviation authorities to adopt internationally recognised conflict de-escalation methods that protect human dignity.

The NBA President’s remarks come days after Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo directed the withdrawal of criminal charges against Emmanson and the lifting of her lifetime no-fly ban. Rights groups, including the African Women Lawyers Association, have also called for a review of airport security procedures in light of the incident.