Ibom Air passenger to spend 56 days in Kirikiri before bail hearing

A magistrate court in Ogba, Lagos, has ordered the remand of Comfort Emmanson — the passenger accused of assaulting airline officials on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos — in Kirikiri correctional centre until October 6.

O.O. Salami, the presiding magistrate, issued the remand order shortly after Emmanson was arraigned by the police on Monday.

Emmanson is facing a five-count charge bordering on assault and wilful damage to property.

According to the charge sheet seen by NAIJAONPOINT , she allegedly shouted at the top of her voice, abused and assaulted flight crew members, and refused to disembark from the aircraft after landing — an offence said to contravene section 4(1)(a) and punishable under section 4(2) of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Byelaw, 2005.

The defendant was also accused of slapping one Juliana Edward and hitting her cheeks with her right hand, in violation of sections 170(1)(a)(b) and 172 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

In a separate count, Emmanson allegedly struck another person, Jokpame Sagun, in the face with her slippers.

She is further charged with wilfully damaging an aircraft divider curtain valued at $2,500 belonging to Ibom Air and tearing a braided wig valued at N110,000, said to belong to Juliana Comfort.

The prosecution stated that these offences contravene sections 170, 172, and 350 of the Lagos State Criminal Law.

Videos widely circulated on social media show an enraged Emmanson attacking flight attendants onboard the Ibom Air flight and confronting airport security officials.

Ibom Air said the altercation began shortly before take-off from Uyo when Emmanson refused to comply with standard aviation safety procedures requiring her to switch off her mobile phone.

The airline said a fellow passenger seated next to her took the phone and switched it off, prompting a verbal tirade from Emmanson.

According to the airline, upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson confronted the purser who had earlier instructed her to turn off her phone and physically assaulted her.

Ibom Air stated that her behaviour posed a serious threat to the safety of its crew, passengers, and aircraft.

The airline has since imposed a travel restriction on Emmanson, adding that she will no longer be allowed to fly on any of its aircraft.