United Nigeria Airlines has said that the apologies issued by comedian Freedom Atsepoyi, known as Mr Jollof, and online activist Martins Otse, popularly called VeryDarkMan, will not bring an end to the ongoing probe into the disturbance recorded on one of its flights.
The airline made it clear that the incident, which caused delays for passengers and drew nationwide attention, is still under review.
Officials said the apologies do not automatically close the case, as the circumstances surrounding the clash must be fully examined.
Both men released separate videos where they explained their actions and asked for forgiveness.
They apologised to the airline, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, and passengers whose travel plans were disrupted.
In his video, Mr Jollof narrated the events that led to the altercation. He insisted he acted in self-defence and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.
“I want to use this medium to sincerely apologise to the NCAA, United Nigeria Airlines, and the passengers… I am very sorry if I delayed your appointment… it will never happen again,” he said.
VeryDarkMan also expressed regret, admitting he acted “really irresponsibly.” He apologised to passengers who were affected, saying many might have missed important engagements because of the delay.
“I am really, really sorry… I cannot guarantee that it will not happen again, but I can only guarantee that it will not happen on a plane, bus, or any public place…” he stated.
Despite these apologies, United Nigeria Airlines maintained that its internal inquiry remains active.
When contacted, the airline’s spokesperson, Chibuike Uloka, confirmed that the management has not reached any conclusion yet.
“Investigations are still ongoing,” he said, noting that the company must follow due process before announcing any decision.
However, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has also weighed in. Its Director of Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, reiterated that there is “zero tolerance for unruly behaviour aboard an aircraft” and warned that both men could face regulatory or legal consequences.
Recall, POLITICS NIGERIA reported that the NCAA had previously condemned the incident and said it would not hesitate to impose sanctions once the airline submits its official report.
Nevertheless, the clash might attract criminal charges, as aviation authorities continue to review what transpired onboard the aircraft.