An Ikeja Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ogba, Lagos State, on Wednesday discharged Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour and assault aboard an Ibom Air flight.
Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami ordered her discharge following the withdrawal of the five charges preferred against her by the police.
The charges had alleged that Emmanson disrupted the peace on board the flight, assaulted a crew member, and conducted herself in a manner capable of breaching public order. She had pleaded not guilty during her arraignment.
The development came after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), announced that resolutions had been reached following consultations with stakeholders in the aviation sector. Keyamo said the decision was made after reviewing the incident, considering appeals from well-meaning individuals, and taking into account the remorse shown by those involved.
He revealed that Ibom Air had agreed to withdraw its complaint against Emmanson over the August 10 incident.
Emmanson was arraigned on Monday and granted bail in the sum of ₦500,000, with two sureties in like sum. However, she was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre after failing to meet her bail conditions.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Police Prosecutor Oluwabunmi Adeitan informed the court that both the complainant and the airline were no longer interested in pursuing the matter.
Adeitan applied for the withdrawal of the case, citing instructions from the police authorities.
Magistrate Salami granted the request and ordered Emmanson’s discharge.
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