An eyewitness who sat next to Comfort Emmanson during the August 10 Ibom Air Uyo–Lagos flight has stepped forward to give the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) a verified account of the in-flight altercation that ignited national debate.
NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed the development on Wednesday in a post on X.com, following his earlier call for credible witnesses “in the interest of justice and fairness.”
According to Achimugu, the witness provided his boarding pass for verification and recounted events leading up to the incident, offering new angles for the investigation.
“The passenger seated right next to the lady in the viral videos has contacted me and given his account of what happened before departure,” Achimugu wrote. “Some aspects of his testimony allow us to examine other perspectives, including the actions of other parties and how the passenger was handled before take-off.”
He said the NCAA had issued a Letter of Investigation to Ibom Air and would invite the airline and eyewitnesses to a meeting. The witness is also expected to release a personal statement.
Achimugu stressed that the authority would “get to the root of the matter” and ensure all culpable parties are held accountable, reaffirming Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo’s commitment to protecting the rights of all aviation stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has dropped its criminal complaint against Emmanson and reduced the flight ban on Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1.
Keyamo, announcing the decision on Wednesday, said it followed a review of the cases, appeals from respected Nigerians, and the remorse expressed by those involved. Ibom Air has also agreed to withdraw its complaint against Emmanson, who was detained after the confrontation with the crew.
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