Public interest lawyer Ayodele Ademiluyi has filed a landmark lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Lagos (FHC/L/CS/1632/25), seeking ₦500 billion in damages from the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Ibom Air, and several other entities over what he describes as systemic aviation impunity.
Respondents Named in Suit:
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Attorney-General of the Federation
Minister of Aviation (Festus Keyamo, SAN)
NCAA
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
Ibom Air
ValueJet
Nigerian Correctional Service
Musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1)
Nigerian Police Force
Governor of Akwa Ibom State and the State’s Attorney-General
Airline Operators of Nigeria.
Ademiluyi criticised how the authorities handled two aviation-related incidents: one involving Kwam 1 and another involving passenger Comfort Emmanson. He alleged a stark injustice in the divergent treatment of both:
Kwam 1, despite allegedly stopping a ValueJet plane from taking off, was neither arrested nor prosecuted; instead, he was appointed as a brand ambassador for airport security protocols.
In contrast, Ms. Emmanson faced immediate and severe sanctions—arrest, arraignment, and a lifetime flight ban.
Ademiluyi condemned the brand ambassadorship awarded to Kwam 1, saying it “undermines the integrity of the sector” and noted that the suit is aimed at protecting rule of law and public interest, not individual reputations.
Incident on 10 August: Comfort Emmanson was forcibly removed from an Ibom Air flight, stripped in public, and humiliated. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemned the airline and AON’s actions as “reckless,” “unlawful,” and a gross violation of human dignity and privacy.
Human Rights Response: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) called the incident a “grave breach of human dignity,” urging prosecution of all responsible officials and enforcement of corporation-level human rights standards.
Government Intervention: Minister Festus Keyamo ordered the withdrawal of criminal charges against Emmanson, the lifting of her lifetime flying ban, and her release from Kirikiri Prison, following her expression of remorse.
Parallel Case with Kwam 1: NCAA’s initial ban on Kwam 1 was reduced to one month, with plans to appoint him as a security protocol ambassador.
Equality Before the Law: The lawsuit highlights public concern over favoritism and erosion of trust in aviation enforcement.
Human Rights Protections: Emmanson’s case has ignited national debate about passenger rights, privacy, and humane treatment.
Institutional Accountability: Calls are growing for systematic reform within aviation agencies to ensure fair, transparent, and consistent protocols.
