An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday discharged the embattled Ms Comfort Emmason of charges bordering on unruly behaviour and assaulting the flight crew aboard an Ibom Air aircraft from Uyo to Lagos on Monday.
Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami struck out the five-count charge against Ms Emmason after the police prosecution team withdrew the case.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecuting council, Mrs Oluwabunmi Adeitan, informed the court of new developments that necessitated the withdrawal.
She tendered an application to the court for the withdrawal of the case, which was admitted by the court.
Earlier today, the federal government announced the withdrawal of a criminal complaint against Ms Emmanson.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday morning, noting that this followed consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector over recent incidents involving disruptive conduct at Nigerian airports.
According to the Minister, Ms Emmanson, had showed “great remorse” during a police interview in the presence of her lawyer.
As a result, Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint, with the Police expected to complete steps for her release from Kirikiri Prisons within the week.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has also agreed to lift the lifetime flight ban earlier imposed on her.
In a related development, popular Fuji musician, Mr Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1 had his six months ban reduced to one-month following an earlier fracas while the pilots involved in the matter also had their suspension reduced to one-month with their licenses re-activated upon expiry of the punishment.