Real estate consultant, Comfort Emmanson, has opened up for the first time since her humiliating ordeal with Ibom Air, narrating how a faulty mobile phone led to her arrest, detention at Kirikiri Correctional Centre, and a lifetime flight ban that has now become a national controversy.
Emmanson, who regained freedom last Wednesday after an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court discharged her following the withdrawal of a five-count charge by the police, released an emotional video at the weekend recounting her traumatic experience.
Visibly shaken, she expressed gratitude to Nigerians who rallied in her defence while she was behind bars.
“For a commoner like me, you guys stood by me. God Almighty will bless you. The love I received when I came out was beyond my imagination,” she said tearfully.
According to Emmanson, the August 10 incident began shortly after boarding an Uyo–Lagos Ibom Air flight. She said a female flight attendant identified as Juliana insisted she must switch off her phone.
The realtor explained that one of her phones had a faulty power button and that a fellow passenger eventually helped her shut it down.
Despite her compliance, she claimed the attendant later refused to allow her disembark in Lagos, allegedly giving her “a hostile look” and dismissing her pleas.
“She dragged my frontal wig, tore my clothes, and yanked off my gold chain. In the process, my phone fell and broke. Out of anger, I poked her,” Emmanson recounted.
The situation escalated when, according to her, multiple staff manhandled and dragged her out of the aircraft half-naked, while passengers recorded videos of her exposed body.
“They videoed me with my body exposed. Some have even turned it into stickers. I can’t even go out again without people recognizing me. How do I face clients as a realtor after such humiliation?” she lamented.
The confrontation went viral, prompting Ibom Air to impose a lifetime ban on Emmanson. Security operatives later arrested her, and she was arraigned on assault and public disturbance charges, leading to her brief remand at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
But the case took a surprising turn last week when prosecutors withdrew the charges, forcing the court to discharge her.
She explained her delay in speaking publicly was because she had been receiving medical treatment and struggling with emotional recovery.
“I’m not a nuisance. People who know me understand my personality. I just never expected that trying to switch off my phone would escalate like this,” she stated.
Emmanson, while vowing to focus on healing and rebuilding her reputation, appealed for understanding from her clients and the public.
Her testimony has since reignited nationwide debate on passenger rights, crisis management in Nigeria’s aviation sector, and the conduct of airline staff. Many Nigerians have called for a review of Ibom Air’s handling of the incident and the controversial lifetime ban placed on her.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
