The federal government has withdrawn the complaints against the unruly Ibom Air passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who assaulted a crew member and other officials of the airline on Sunday.
Similarly, the case against fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, over safety breach at the Murtala Muhammed Airport against him, has been withdrawn.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, made the announcement on Wednesday in a statement he issued.
He said the decisions to withdraw the cases were purely on compassionate grounds and not the sentiments expressed in some quarters.
His words: “These above decisions were taken by Government and the airline operators purely on COMPASSIONATE grounds as Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.”
READ ALSO: The Companion calls for attitudinal change, youth entrepreneurship
He, however, stated that the government had sent a clear message that it took safety and security matter in the aviation industry very seriously.
Warning that no such violation would be entertained in the future, he emphasized that “we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.”
On Emmanson’s case, the minister stated that he had conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the complaint against her today, having “exhibited great remorse for her conduct.”
He added that subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor would immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.
He stated that he had also discussed with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, and had appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her.
He said in the case of Wasiu Ayinde and Value Jet, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, would reduce his flight ban to a one-month period.
In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of Value Jet, the NCAA would restore their licenses after the period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal.
