Ibom Air vs Emmanson: Youth group calls for full, transparent investigation

…condemns the circulation of the victim’s nude video

The Youth and Students Advocates for Development Initiative (YSAD) has condemned the alleged unruly behaviour attributed to Comfort Emmanson, a 26-year-old passenger, and the subsequent uncivil conduct aboard the Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025.

The group, in a statement signed by Obinna Nwagbara, its executive director, also condemned the circulation of Emmanson’s nude video, which they regarded as a grave violation of dignity and a breach of the rights of the accused.

YSAD maintained that all parties deserve due process and that justice must be guided by facts, not sensationalism.

“We are concerned by the conflicting statements from Ibom Air and the inconsistencies between different online video accounts.

“In particular, the airline’s report that a passenger allegedly grabbed Comfort Emmanson’s phone, switched it off, and that she waited for all other passengers to disembark before confronting the air hostess.

“Another video online, purportedly recorded by the passenger, with her wig on and her clothing largely intact, likewise those of the air hostess, requesting to be allowed to disembark the aircraft, which predates the reported physical confrontation”.

In light of these inconsistencies and the interests of justice, due process, and public trust, YSAD calls for the immediate release of CCTV footage from the aircraft for the moments surrounding the incident, as well as any relevant footage from the airport and boarding areas, to ensure transparency and public trust.

They called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Aviation,  the Minister of Youth and Sports, and the Inspector General of Police to appoint an independent investigative panel to determine precisely what occurred.

The investigation according to YSAD, should examine the sequence of events on board, including any interactions between Comfort Emmanson, air hostesses, and other passengers, the handling of any confiscations or devices, including the alleged confiscation and switch-off of a passenger’s phone, the origin and distribution of any videos, with due regard to privacy rights as well as the timeline of events, including disembarkation and any videos that may predate the incident.

The group called for the protection of the rights and dignity of Comfort Emmanson and the air crew, in line with the presumption of innocence and Nigeria’s laws on privacy, defamation, and fair trial.

They noted that any sensational or nude imagery circulating online should be examined for potential copyright, privacy violations, or defamatory content, and appropriate actions should be taken against those who disseminate private material without consent.

YSAD appealed to passengers who were on the flight or who have verifiable information to come forward in a manner that protects privacy and safety, noting that the matter transcends sensational headlines, touches on public safety, travellers’ ethics, and the integrity of Nigeria’s institutions.

On World Youth Day 2025, YSAD appealed to Nigeria’s leadership and law enforcement agencies to demonstrate commitment to due process, transparency, and justice by ensuring a comprehensive investigation and timely release of verifiable evidence.

They urged Ibom Air, aviation regulators, and relevant authorities to cooperate fully with investigators to maintain public confidence through openness and accountability.