The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson by Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
In a statement issued by the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, and general secretary, Dr Mobolaji Ojibara, NBA described the airline’s actions, including a lifetime flight ban imposed on Emmanson, as “reckless,” “unlawful,” and a violation of her right to dignity.
According to the statement, “The treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson by Ibom Air was reckless and violated her right to dignity of a human person. ”
Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, publicly stripped of her clothing, and humiliated in an incident that was recorded and widely circulated online”, NBA explained.
The NBA also described the treatment as “degrading” and a breach of Emmanson’s privacy and dignity, falling short of expected standards in the aviation industry.
They further stressed: “The Nigerian Bar Association strongly condemns the treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson in the incident aboard an Ibom Air flight on 10 August 2025 and the subsequent lifetime flight ban imposed on her by Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria.
”These actions are heavy-handed, unlawful, and a grave affront to the rule of law and human dignity.
“It is deeply disturbing that Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and subjected to humiliation that was filmed and circulated online.
”Such conduct is degrading, violates her right to dignity and privacy, and falls far short of the standards of civility and professionalism expected in the aviation sector.
”No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be treated in such a dehumanising manner.
“While Ibom Air has issued its account of events, other video footage has emerged showing an Ibom Air hostess preventing Ms. Emmanson from alighting from the aircraft, a conduct that could constitute false imprisonment and a possible provocation that escalated the situation.
”This makes it all the more critical that the matter be subjected to an independent, impartial investigation by the appropriate authorities before any disciplinary action is taken against her, ” the statement said.
The association criticised the lifetime ban as a violation of fair hearing principles, arguing that Emmanson was not allowed to respond to the allegations.
The NBA demanded an independent, impartial investigation by the appropriate authorities before any disciplinary action could be taken against Emmanson.
The NBA demands that Ibom Air immediately withdraw the lifetime ban imposed on Emmanson as well as called for a public apology to Emmanson for the treatment she received.
The association also demanded that those responsible for capturing and distributing the unedited footage of Emmanson be identified and prosecuted for their actions.
The association has pledged to provide Emmanson with pro bono legal support to ensure her rights were upheld and justice is served.
