The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Wednesday said that there is a lot to be unbundled in the incident involving the staff of Ibom Air Airline and a passenger, Comfort Emmanson at the Murtala International Airport on Monday, August 11.
Michael Achimugu, the director of public
Affairs and consumer protection at the NCAA said the agency has received an eyewitness account of the event that led to the fistcuff between the passenger and the staff of the airline.
Recall that Emmanson in an altercation with Ibom Air’s staff had her clothes ripped off her body, manhandled and dragged out of the airline’s stairs by the operatives.
In addition, she was handed a lifetime ban by the airline which has also been lifted following interventions by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
However, in a post made on X, Achimugu said the passenger seated next to the lady had volunteered credible information on what transpired between Emmanson and the staff of Ibom Air.
He said, “Sequel to this, the passenger seated right next to the lady in the viral videos has contacted me (also sent in his boarding pass) and given HIS account of the events that transpired on the aircraft BEFORE departure.
“Some aspects of his testimony offer an opportunity to look at other perspectives of this case, especially the behaviour of other actors involved and the manner of passenger handling before the flight took off,” Achimugu stated.
Also noting the eyewitness will be releasing a statement on the matter shortly, Achimugu said the NCAA has issued a Letter of Intent to Ibom Air and will invite both the airline and the eyewitness to a meeting.
“The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the NCAA have a remarkable record of protecting the rights of all stakeholders in this industry and will continue to do so.
“One is glad that a truly verifiable witness has come forward, and his statement makes me glad not to have listened to most of the fake audios and claims flying around social media.
“There is a lot to unbundle, and we will get to the root of it. Rest assured that every culpable party in this case will be held accountable,” Achimugu stated.