Samuel Omang
The Federal Government’s decision to withdraw criminal charges against Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson and reduce the six-month flight ban imposed on Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as KWAM 1, has sparked sharp division among aviation stakeholders.
On Wednesday, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced that the criminal complaint against Emmanson had been dropped, KWAM 1’s ban cut to one month, and the artiste appointed as an ambassador for airport security.
While some see the move as a step toward resolving high-profile disputes in the sector, others have condemned it as inappropriate and damaging to Nigeria’s aviation reputation.
Former Chief Pilot Capt. Mohammed Badamosi welcomed the pardon for Emmanson but strongly criticised the appointment of KWAM 1 as an airport safety ambassador despite his recent security breach.
“Sometimes, when you don’t fully grasp a situation, the best thing to do is step back. Making the musician a safety ambassador makes no sense,” Badamosi said.
Retired Group Capt. John Ojukwu was even more blunt, calling the decision “embarrassing” and “dangerous” in light of Nigeria’s obligations to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“To make Wasiu Ayinde a symbol of airport security is not just inappropriate, it’s disgraceful,” he stated.
A senior aviation professional, who requested anonymity, described the government’s move as a “knee-jerk reaction” lacking due process.
“We bundled unrelated issues together and issued sweeping reversals. That’s not how policy should work,” the official warned.
On the other hand, the President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Galadima Abednego, welcomed the minister’s intervention, saying the situation offered valuable lessons for improving airport security checks.
“The minister and NCAA acted swiftly. I think we can learn the lesson and move on,” Abednego said.
The controversy has also reignited debate over the Airline Operators of Nigeria’s (AON) decision to impose a lifetime ban on Emmanson.
Roland Iyayi, President/CEO of Topbrass Aviation Limited, argued that no airline association has the legal authority to bar a passenger from flying on all airlines based on a single incident.
Group Managing Director of Finchglow Group, Bankole Bernard, described the lifetime ban as “draconian” and urged AON to reconsider, stressing that it is an industry association, not a regulatory body.
The mixed reactions highlight growing concerns over the consistency and credibility of aviation policies in Nigeria. Stakeholders have called for a more measured, transparent approach to handling security breaches and disciplinary measures in the industry.