NBA Slams Ibom Air Over Passenger's Treatment, Demands Independent Probe
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has harshly criticized Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria for their handling of an incident involving Ms. Comfort Emmanson, calling for an independent investigation into the matter.
In a statement jointly signed by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe and General Secretary Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the association condemned the airline's actions, including the decision to impose a lifetime flight ban on Ms. Emmanson, as unjust, unlawful, and an affront to her basic human rights.
The controversy stems from an incident on August 10, 2025, in which Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from an Ibom Air flight. Disturbing footage circulated online shows her being stripped in public and subjected to what the NBA described as degrading and humiliating treatment. The association argues that the incident violated her right to dignity and privacy and reflects a lack of professionalism in the aviation industry.
“No one deserves to be treated in such an inhumane and degrading manner,” the NBA stated. “Stripping a passenger in public and sharing footage of the ordeal online is not only a violation of her personal dignity, but also a breach of civil standards expected from professionals in the aviation sector.”
The NBA also questioned the conduct of airline staff during the incident. In one video, a flight attendant appears to block Ms. Emmanson from leaving the plane, an act the NBA says could amount to false imprisonment and may have escalated the situation unnecessarily.
While Ibom Air has released a version of events, the NBA insists that only a thorough, independent investigation can reveal the full truth and ensure that accountability is upheld.
“The decision to ban Ms. Emmanson from flying indefinitely, especially before a proper inquiry, is premature and unjust,” the NBA added, urging regulatory authorities to step in and conduct a transparent review of the incident.
The association emphasized that such heavy-handed actions not only undermine the rule of law but also erode public trust in Nigeria’s aviation system.
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