By Dennis Udoma

The Federal Government has withdrawn criminal complaints against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, a passenger involved in an unruly incident aboard an Ibom Air flight, and popular musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1), in a move described as “purely compassionate.”

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced the decision yesterday, following consultations with stakeholders in the aviation sector over recent airport incidents.

Ms. Emmanson, arrested after an altercation on August 10, 2025, will be released from Kirikiri Prisons this week, with Ibom Air also agreeing at the minister’s appeal to lift her lifetime flight ban.

In KWAM 1’s case, his flight ban will be reduced to one month, and he will be engaged as an ambassador for airport security protocol.

The NCAA will also withdraw criminal charges against him and restore the licenses of ValueJet pilots Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba after a month-long suspension and professional reappraisal.

Keyamo said, the incidents exposed failings on both sides; passengers and airline staff and called for an immediate retraining retreat for aviation security and airline personnel starting next week.

“We take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously,” Keyamo said.

“These clemencies mark a fresh start, and we are drawing the line going forward.”