Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the dehumanising treatment meted out to Comfort Emmanson, on board of Ibom Air on Monday.
Comfort is cooling off in Kirikiri prison for refusing to switch off her mobile phone and assaulting Ibom Air Crew.
An earlier statement by the airline explained that shortly before take-off from Uyo, Emmanson was instructed to switch off her mobile phone, but she refused.
Ibom Air said she refused to comply until the pilot-in-command made an announcement, after which a fellow passenger seated beside her took the phone and switched it off.
“This action prompted a verbal tirade from Emmanson. The situation was eventually calmed, and the flight departed as scheduled.
“Upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson waited for all other passengers to disembark and then proceeded to confront the purser who had earlier instructed her.
“She walked up to the unsuspecting purser, stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw them to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her.
“She slapped her several times, and when the other cabin crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too. She then attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act that could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.
“By this time, the Pilot-in-Command had alerted airport security. Before security could arrive, the purser, as seen in the viral video on the internet, prevented the passenger from leaving the aircraft until security arrived.
“The arrival of Ibom Air Security personnel did not deter the passenger, as she attacked them as well, lashing out violently at both Ibom Air and FAAN security.
“She was then restrained and removed from the aircraft by force. Even after disembarking, she continued to assault both Ibom Air and FAAN security staff and even slapped the ground supervisor,” the airline said.
Nevertheless, Mr. Obi while sincerely apologising to the Ibom Air crew who were assaulted by Miss Comfort, stated that stripping her publicly was not only unnecessary but also represents the height of rascality and abuse by the nation’s agencies.
“It is unacceptable that she was hurriedly taken to court and remanded, while someone who visibly held a plane from taking off and put hundreds of lives at risk is still at large, with government agencies and some state officials speaking up for him to be forgiven.
“This case is not just about one young woman; it is about the double standards that poison our justice system. Justice in Nigeria must never be about who is poor or powerless versus who has influence or access to government officials.
“While Ms. Comfort Emmanson is in jail, the other offender who committed a more severe offence has not been held to the same standard. He has neither been arrested nor arraigned in any court. We must build a country where justice is fair, equal, and not selective, especially against women who are seen to be weaker.
“This young lady’s offence does not compare to the crimes committed daily by those parading themselves as “excellencies” while looting public funds without consequence, and yet they have not been stripped or dehumanised in the name of justice.
“We must end this selective treatment of the poor or less privileged. If justice must be served, it should be served to all, and it must be served fairly. The Minister of Aviation and other relevant authorities owe the public an explanation for these double standards in their adjudication. Justice must be just, or it is nothing at all.
“The rule of law based on justice for all must remain the guidepost of our democracy,” he added.
