The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has condemned the treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson over an incident aboard an Ibom Air flight, describing it as a violation of her right to dignity.
The NBA in the same vein pledged to provide Emmanson with
pro bono legal support to seek redress, insisting that “respect for human
dignity and the rule of law must never be compromised”.
In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe,
SAN, and General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the NBA criticised Ibom Air
and the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, for imposing a lifetime ban on
Emmanson without a fair hearing.
According to the NBA, Emmanson was “forcibly removed from
the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and humiliated” with the
incident filmed and shared online.
The association maintained that the conduct was degrading,
unlawful, and “a grave affront to the rule of law and human dignity”.
The NBA also referred to video footage allegedly showing an
Ibom Air hostess preventing Emmanson from leaving the aircraft, which it said
could amount to false imprisonment and may have escalated the situation.
It called for an independent investigation by relevant
authorities before any disciplinary action is taken.
On the lifetime ban, the NBA argued that only the statutory
aviation regulator has the authority to suspend or restrict a passenger’s right
to fly, not private associations or individual operators.
The association further condemned the circulation of unedited
footage exposing Emmanson’s nudity, describing it as a criminal invasion of
privacy. It urged that those responsible for recording and distributing the
video be identified and prosecuted.
The NBA demanded that Ibom Air withdraw the lifetime ban,
issue a public apology, and cooperate with an impartial investigation.
It also called on the Minister of Aviation, the Nigerian
Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and
security agencies to conduct a thorough inquiry and sanction those found
culpable.
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