Comfort Emmanson, the passenger at the centre of a now-viral in-flight altercation on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, has been arraigned in court and remanded at Kirikiri correctional facility.

The development was confirmed by Tunde Moshood, media adviser to Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, via a post on X (formerly Twitter). “The unruly passenger… has been charged to court and she’s now cooling off in Kirikiri,” he stated.

Incident Sparks Aviation Safety Concerns

The incident, captured in multiple videos circulating on social media, shows Ms. Emmanson in a heated confrontation with Ibom Air flight attendants and airport security personnel.

According to Ibom Air, the altercation began before take-off in Uyo, when Emmanson allegedly refused to switch off her mobile phone, as required by standard aviation safety regulations.

The airline said the situation escalated when a fellow passenger turned off her phone, prompting an outburst. Upon landing in Lagos, Emmanson allegedly physically assaulted a flight purser who had issued the initial instruction, posing a threat to the crew and fellow passengers.

NCAA and Industry Response

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has since warned that stricter enforcement actions will be taken going forward to curb rising incidents of unruly passenger behaviour.

“Unruly behaviour onboard flights is becoming too frequent,” the authority noted in a recent statement. “There will be more enforcement to ensure safety and discipline in the skies.”

Lifetime Ban and Legal Fallout

Ibom Air has imposed a lifetime travel ban on Emmanson, barring her from flying with the airline in the future. The company described her actions as “unacceptable” and “a serious breach of safety protocols.”

The legal process is ongoing, with Emmanson facing possible charges related to assault and endangering public safety.