Airline Operators Of Nigeria Has No Legal Power To Impose ‘No Fly’ Ban On Comfort Emmanson Or Anyone –Lawyer
Airline Operators Of Nigeria Has No Legal Power To Impose ‘No Fly’ Ban On Comfort Emmanson Or Anyone –Lawyer
In a statement on Monday, Olajengbesi condemned the ban as reckless and unconstitutional, noting, “No provision of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, nor any other extant law in Nigeria, empowers the AON, a mere voluntary trade association, to impose a No-Fly ban on any individual.”
Aprominent legal practitioner, Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq., has clarified that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) lacks the legal authority under Nigerian law to place Comfort Emmanson on any “No Fly” list following her reported altercation on an Ibom Air flight.
In a statement on Monday, Olajengbesi condemned the ban as reckless and unconstitutional, noting, “No provision of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, nor any other extant law in Nigeria, empowers the AON, a mere voluntary trade association, to impose a No-Fly ban on any individual.”
He emphasised that such actions violate the fundamental rights of the individual concerned.
According to Olajengbesi, the only statutory body authorised to issue and enforce nationwide flight restrictions is the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), as outlined in Sections 31 and 32 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022.
He added that the AON has no mandate to abridge the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of movement under Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The legal expert further criticised the swift arraignment and remand of Emmanson, stating that the “hasty arraignment and subsequent remand of the lady, without affording her adequate time and facilities to prepare her defence, constitutes an abuse of the judicial process and a blatant violation of her constitutional right to fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
He warned that such procedural shortcuts undermine public confidence in the justice system and erode the rule of law.
Olajengbesi stressed the importance of fairness in disputes, stating, “In every dispute, there are always two sides to the coin. Not even a native doctor can definitively determine who is right or wrong without properly hearing from both parties. Justice must remain the bedrock of our society, anything less is an invitation to lawlessness.”
“Nigeria is gradually sliding into impunity, with individuals and associations feeling entitled to make proclamations as if the country were a banana republic,” he said, lamenting the case of Comfort Emmanson.
Lifetime Ban Of Comfort Emmanson
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, what began as a routine Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos spiraled into one of the most alarming altercations in recent Nigerian aviation history.
Comfort Emmanson, a passenger aboard flight Q9 303, reportedly refused to comply with basic safety instructions regarding mobile phone usage. According to the AON, Emmanson’s defiance escalated into a violent confrontation. She allegedly assaulted multiple crew members and attempted to wield a fire extinguisher as a weapon.
The incident, described by AON as “not just disruptive, but a sustained, violent attack,” endangered not only the lives of those on board but also the integrity of the aircraft itself.
In response, AON took unprecedented action. On August 11, 2025, it announced that Comfort Emmanson had been placed on its “No Fly” list indefinitely. This lifetime ban prohibits her from flying with any AON member airline—domestically or internationally.
The decision was made public by AON spokesperson Professor Obiora Okonkwo, who emphasised that such behaviour would no longer be tolerated in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The incident also sparked broader concerns. AON cited recent similar episodes involving high-profile individuals, including musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1 or K1 De Ultimate) and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, as evidence of a troubling rise in unruly passenger behaviour.
The organisation called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to urgently review and tighten security protocols across all airports.
Meanwhile, the legal consequences for Emmanson were swift. She was charged in court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos pending trial, according to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
