***Reduces KWAM 1 Flight Ban
The Federal Government has withdrawn criminal charges against Comfort Emmanson and reduced the flight ban on KWAM 1, following widespread public outcry over the recent airline incident. The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, said the Police would take immediate steps to secure Emmanson’s release from Kirikiri Prisons within the week.
In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Keyamo confirmed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been instructed to shorten the flight ban on KWAM 1 to one month. He said the decisions came after consultations with stakeholders in the aviation sector and those involved in the incidents, acknowledging that “valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides.”
The directive also affects Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and co-pilot First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, whose licenses will be restored after a one-month suspension, following mandatory professional reappraisal.
“These decisions were taken on compassionate grounds. Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically motivated views, or warped legal opinions when clear breaches of law are involved,” Keyamo said.
Critics, however, argue that the swift reversal reflects the mounting public pressure and social media outrage over the perceived injustice against Emmanson.