The Federal Government has clarified the differing responses to two recent aviation-related incidents involving passengers Comfort Emmanson and popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, also known as Kwam 1, following public outcry over perceived selective justice.
The controversy stems from the remand of Comfort Emmanson, who allegedly assaulted crew members on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, while Kwam 1, accused of disrupting a ValueJet flight in Abuja last week, faced no court action.
Addressing the matter during an appearance on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Mike Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), stated that the two incidents were legally and procedurally different.
“There is no comparison here; it’s not a case of oranges and oranges,” Achimugu said. “In the Kwam 1 incident, the airline did not activate its rights to pursue legal action, so the NCAA fulfilled its role by petitioning the appropriate authorities.”
READ ALSO: Kwam 1 apologises over Abuja airport incident, denies alcohol allegation
He explained that Ibom Air, on the other hand, acted immediately by taking legal steps after its staff were allegedly assaulted, which led to Emmanson’s court arraignment and subsequent remand.
Achimugu also clarified that the NCAA was not directly involved in Emmanson’s case. In contrast, in Kwam 1’s situation, the Authority issued an advisory to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), recommending a ban pending the outcome of investigations.
Contrary to earlier reports, Kwam 1 was not placed on a six-month flight ban but an indefinite one, Achimugu revealed.
He further defended the decision to place Emmanson on a lifetime no-fly list, stating that airline operators are legally empowered to impose such bans on passengers who pose risks to safety or security.
The statements come amid widespread criticism on social media and in legal circles, with many calling for consistency and fairness in handling cases involving public figures and ordinary citizens alike.
