THE Ibom Air passenger accused of unruly behaviour on a flight from Uyo to Lagos, Comfort Emmanson, has been released from the Kirikiri Correctional Centre after all charges against her were struck out.
Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami ordered her discharge this week following the withdrawal of the case, a decision confirmed by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo.
The minister said her release came after consultations with aviation stakeholders over recent high-profile incidents at airports.
Emmanson had faced five criminal counts after allegedly assaulting a flight attendant and confronting security agents at Lagos airport on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
She was initially remanded after failing to provide sureties and was later handed a lifetime no-fly ban by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
Keyamo said Emmanson showed “great remorse” during police questioning and revealed he had persuaded Ibom Air to drop its complaint and urged AON to lift the ban.
He also condemned the circulation of a viral video showing her partially exposed during the altercation, ordering action against those responsible for leaking it.
The case had sparked public outrage and condemnation from civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association, who criticised the handling of the incident as unfair.
Keyamo said all parties had “learnt their lessons” and that the incident had increased public awareness about proper conduct and security protocols in airports.