FG drops criminal charges against Comfort Emmanson, fuji musician KWAM 1; Appointed ambassador for airport security protocol; ValueJet’s Captain, First Officer licenses to be restored

Mr. Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has withdrawn criminal charges against musician KWAM I and female passenger Ms. Comfort Emmanson, citing wide consultations with critical industry stakeholders.

He said recent events in the industry concerning unruly behavior of certain individuals are unfortunate, regrettably, the minister declared that valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents on airport security protocols.

Keyamo said the lessons have been well highlighted for the travelling public.

Said he:” If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.

“As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and those available to the public.

“It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.

“Therefore, after reviewing the entire incidents, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors.

“Therefore, after reviewing the entire incidents, the following decisions have been reached: including withdrawal of complaint against Ms. Comfort Emmanson, after conferring with Ibom Airline.

” When the police took her Statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.

” Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.

” I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.”

On the matter of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal aka KWAM 1 that was slammed six-months flight ban after a confrontation with a ValueJet flight crew at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Minister said:” The NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period.

” Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has appointed the Fuji music icon, known by the trade name KWAM 1 or K1 De Ultimate, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Wednesday, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said: “FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.”

The minister said the singer had “publicly demonstrated penitence” over his actions, prompting the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to withdraw its criminal complaint against him and shorten his suspension to one month.

“In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA”, he said.

” I have directed all relevant Aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation to IMMEDIATELY begin a retreat NEXT WEEK to properly retrain and prepare our Aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations. The retreat will be fully covered by the Press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.

“The Airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public will be in full focus.

” 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.

“We are also sending a CLEAR MESSAGE that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies. “