The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has pledged pro bono legal assistance to Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger recently remanded following an alleged altercation with a staff member of Ibom Air.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday by NBA President Afam Osigwe and General Secretary Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the association criticized both Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria for their handling of the situation.
Describing the airline’s actions—including a lifetime flight ban imposed on Ms. Emmanson—as “reckless,” “unlawful,” and a breach of her right to dignity, the NBA expressed deep concern over what it called a clear violation of fundamental human rights.
“The NBA stands ready to provide Ms. Emmanson with free legal representation to ensure her rights are fully protected and that she receives appropriate redress for the violations she has suffered,” the statement read.
“We will not stand idly by while the rights of any Nigerian citizen are trampled—whether by public institutions, private entities, or individuals. The rule of law and respect for human dignity must remain sacrosanct. Justice must be served in this matter,” it added.
According to the association, Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, publicly stripped of her clothing, and subjected to degrading treatment—an ordeal that was recorded and widely circulated on social media.
The NBA condemned the airline’s conduct as humiliating, degrading, and a clear violation of her privacy and dignity, noting that such treatment falls far below acceptable standards within the aviation industry.
The association further argued that the lifetime flight ban imposed on Ms. Emmanson was issued without due process and constituted a denial of her right to fair hearing. It emphasized that only statutory regulators have the legal authority to restrict a person’s right to travel—not private airlines or industry groups.
“The NBA demands that Ibom Air immediately lift the lifetime ban, publicly apologize to Ms. Emmanson, and fully cooperate with an independent and impartial investigation into the incident,” the statement continued.
The NBA also called on the Minister of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and relevant security agencies to take appropriate action in ensuring justice is served.
