Comfort Emmanson has spoken publicly for the first time since her release, sharing her account of what transpired on the August 10 Ibom Air flight that led to her arrest and public humiliation.
In a video posted online, the real estate consultant thanked everyone who supported her during the ordeal.
I want to appreciate everyone who fought for me when I was in prison. The love and support I received was overwhelming. For someone like me, a commoner, you stood by me. May God bless you all, she said emotionally.
Recounting the events, Emmanson said the trouble began shortly after boarding a flight from Uyo to Lagos. A flight attendant named Juliana allegedly confronted her over not switching off her phone. She explained that one of her phones had a faulty power button, and she needed help to turn it off. A fellow passenger eventually assisted her.
I never refused to turn it off. I just said the power button was bad, and I needed help. The passenger beside me helped, and both phones were switched off.
Emmanson claims the same attendant later blocked her from leaving the plane after it landed, staring at her with hostility and ignoring her repeated requests to disembark. Sensing the situation was escalating, she began recording.
According to her, this provoked the attendant, who allegedly assaulted her by yanking her frontal wig, tearing her clothes, and ripping off her gold chain.
She dragged my wig and chain. My phone fell and broke. The pain of having my frontal pulled off was unbearable. That’s when I reacted and poked her out of anger, she said.
Emmanson broke down as she described being forcefully removed from the aircraft by multiple airline staff while passengers filmed the scene.They tore my clothes. I was exposed. People videoed me like that. Some even turned it into memes. I can’t go out anymore—people recognize me. How do I show my face or talk to clients as a realtor after they’ve seen that video?”
She revealed she’s been undergoing treatment since the incident and delayed speaking out until she felt emotionally and physically ready.
I’m not a troublemaker. People who know me know that. I never imagined asking for help with my phone would lead to this.
Emmanson ended her video by expressing hope to heal, return to her business, and rebuild her reputation.
Her ordeal began when she was removed from the flight for allegedly refusing to switch off her phone. Ibom Air later imposed a lifetime ban, and she was arraigned on five charges, leading to her brief detention at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
However, on Wednesday, an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Ogba, Lagos, dismissed all charges after the police formally withdrew the case.
Emmanson’s account brings a personal perspective to an incident that sparked national debate on passenger rights, airline conduct, and crisis handling in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
With the legal case closed, attention now turns to how Emmanson and the industry move forward from a situation that began with a faulty phone—and ended in national controversy
