By Admin
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has vowed to defend Comfort Emmanson free of charge in court after condemning what it described as the “reckless and dehumanising” treatment she allegedly suffered at the hands of Ibom Air staff during a flight.
The dramatic mid-air confrontation, which was partly captured in multiple videos now circulating online, has sparked public outrage and divided opinion.
In some clips, the visibly distressed passenger is seen struggling with crew members, while other footage appears to show her being forcibly restrained and stripped in the presence of other travellers.
NBA President, Mazi Osigwe,, in aa statement on Tuesday, said the association would offer pro bono legal support to Emmanson in any proceedings.
According to the NBA, Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and humiliated in full view of other passengers an ordeal that was filmed and circulated online.
The lawyers’ body described the act as a gross violation of her constitutional right to dignity of the human person under Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution and an invasion of privacy.
The controversy deepened after Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) jointly imposed a lifetime ban on Ms. Emmanson, a move the NBA labelled “unlawful, heavy-handed, and devoid of fair hearing.” The association noted that only statutory regulators such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority have the legal power to suspend or restrict a passenger’s flying rights, not private operators acting unilaterally.
Citing fresh video evidence, the NBA alleged that an Ibom Air hostess blocked Ms. Emmanson from disembarking before the confrontation escalated — conduct that could amount to false imprisonment. The group insisted that an independent and impartial investigation was necessary before any punitive measures could be taken.
The NBA further condemned the recording and online publication of indecent images from the incident, warning that those responsible for capturing and sharing the footage should be prosecuted for criminal invasion of privacy.
The association’s demands include the Immediate withdrawal of the lifetime flight ban, a public apology to Emmanson, a full, impartial investigation into the incident and sannctions against any individual found culpable.
“We will not remain silent while the fundamental rights of any Nigerian are trampled upon,” Osigwe said. “Respect for human dignity and the rule of law must never be compromised.”
