A Lagos State Ikeja Magistrate Court has acquitted an Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmasson, who was arraigned for unruly behaviour and assault after backlash from the public.
The court acquitted Emmanson of the five-count charge against her, following the decision of the federal government to withdraw charges against the passenger.
Emmanson had allegedly assaulted an Ibom Air hostess during a flight from Uyo to Lagos a few days ago.
The incident which generated so much controversy led to her ban from local and international flights.
However, the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday directed the airline and police to withdraw charges against Emmasson.
In his ruling, upon Emmason’s arraignment on Wednesday, Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami dismissed the five-count charge against Emmason, following the withdrawal of the case by the police prosecution team.
At the resumed hearing, prosecutor Oluwabunmi Adeitan informed the court of new developments that necessitated the withdrawal.
She tendered an application to the court for the withdrawal of the case, which was admitted by the court.
Ebonyi state High Court has sentenced four persons, Ikechukwu Esseh, Ikedinachi Uche, Ukpai Godwin, and Uchenna Kalu to seven years imprisonment following a three-count charge of conspiracy, vandalism, and stealing of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company properties.
Justice Nicholas Nwode at Afikpo Judicial Division, at Afikpo delivered the judgment.
This was made known on Wednesday in Enugu by the Group Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh.
This comes after convicts were arrested on 28th November 2023, for attacking a 7.5 MVA injection substation belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC), located at Education Board Road, Afikpo, in the Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
According to Ezeh, the presiding judge, after carefully reviewing all evidence presented before him and considering the high incidence of vandalism and stealing of electrical installations in Afikpo, sentenced the accused to five years imprisonment on count one, seven years imprisonment on count two, and five years imprisonment on count three, to run concurrently without option of fine.
The management of EEDC commended the judiciary for the judgement and appealed for speedy trials of other pending matters.
“We commend the judiciary for the judgement and hope that this will serve as a deterrent to others out there who may engage in such criminal acts.”
The company equally appreciated the efforts of the General Youth President and Afikpo Task Force Team for mobilizing to apprehend these vandals, a clear indication of community support and collaboration in the protection of electricity infrastructure.
Ezeh appealed to customers to support efforts aimed at safeguarding installations in their neighborhood.
He lamented how the activities of vandals have negatively impacted the company’s operations and the quality of service delivered to its customers.
“As a result, we continue to commit scarce resources to restore vandalized equipment—funds that would ordinarily be channeled to other areas of our operations that will benefit our customers,” Ezeh noted.
He urged customers to remain vigilant and protect electricity installations in their neighborhoods from vandalism, warning that such incidents inevitably lead to service failure and inconvenience.
Former Manchester City defender, Micah Richards, has ruled the Citizens out of the Premier League title race.
Richards believes his old club will struggle because Rodri is out until October.
Rodri missed most of last season after rupturing his ACL in September. The Spaniard has now picked up a groin injury.
According to Richards, Liverpool are his favourites to be crowned champions again.
The Reds clinched a record-equalling 20th title last season, finishing 10 points ahead of Arsenal.
Richards expects the Gunners and Chelsea to challenge Arne Slot’s men in the title race.
“If Rodri would have been fit, I think they could have gone to the wire, but it doesn’t look like he’s going to be fit until maybe October,” Richards said.
“Liverpool will be there, I think they will be my favourites this year.
“I think Chelsea look strong after watching the Club World Cup.
“And we have been talking about Arsenal for a while now in terms of needing a striker, I still think they are a little bit short on the left-hand side.”
A few days after Fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1 was accused of unruly conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Federal Government has revealed plans to engage him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol.
Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Keyamo, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN will now work ”
with the “music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward”.
In the statement, the Minister revealed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA has resolved to reduce the musician’s flight ban from six to one month.
Recalls that the musician was recently accused of carrying a flask containing alcohol at the airport.
According to reports, the artiste was spilling the liquid content personnel, and later walking onto the aircraft’s tarmac, allegedly blocking the plane from taxiing.
He had since apologized to the authorities, promising that he would not portray such an attitude again.
The wanton killings of unsuspecting Benue State citizens have continued unabated as the daredevil terrorists continue their attacks.
In recent days, some communities in the Guma Local Government Area of the state have been consistently attacked by the assailants, leading to lost of lives.
Nigerian News Sphere reports that the latest attacks were carried out in Uikpam and Mbabai communities in Guma Local Government Area LGA of the state when the assailants invaded the areas.
It was gathered on Wednesday morning that one Francis Nomsoor and another victim identified simply as Kelvin lost their lives in the unfortunate attacks.
Kevin, who was until his death, a patent medicine seller was reportedly shot right in his shop and was being conveyed to Daudu for medical attention before he gave up the ghost.
While Francis Nomsoor’s body was reportedly recovered by security agents after the attackers had left the scene.
The state has over a few years suffered unprovoked attacks from the suspected herders.
Several Benue indegenes have been killed while millions are displaced.
Sources told Nigerian News Sphere that security operatives were hitherto deployed to the affected communities prior to the latest attacks but were withdrawn.
The Nigerian government, through the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo has directed Ibom Air, and the police to withdraw the criminal case against passenger Comfort Emmasson.
It also announced that the flight ban imposed on Fuji legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as KWAM 1, has been reduced to one month by the NCAA.
KWAM 1 has initially been handed a six-month ban following his unruly behaviour on a ValueJet flight.
Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal
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Keyamo, in a statement on Wednesday morning through its X account.
Full statement:
PRESS STATEMENT: DECISION TO WITHDRAW CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST MS. COMFORT EMMANSON AND TO ADDRESS RELATED MATTERS
1. In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the aviation sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of late.
2. Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learned by all sides to these incidents, and airport security protocols, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing else at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.
3. As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and that available to the public. It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.
5. Therefore, after reviewing the entire incident, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors, the following decisions have been reached:
THE CASE OF IBOM AIRLINE AND MS. COMFORT EMMANSON
(a) In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the complaint against her today. When the police took her statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.
(b) Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the police prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.
(c) I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the lifetime flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.
THE CASE OF VALUJET AND WASIU AYINDE MARSHALL (KWAM 1)
(d) In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
(e) Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the police.
(f) In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licences after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional reappraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA.
AIRLINE OPERATORS, AVIATION, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
6. I have directed all relevant aviation agencies, in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation, to IMMEDIATELY begin a retreat NEXT WEEK to properly retrain and prepare our aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations. The retreat will be fully covered by the press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.
7. The airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public will be in full focus.
FINAL COMMENTS
8. These above decisions were taken by the government and the airline operators purely on COMPASSIONATE grounds, as the government will never pander to base sentiments, politically motivated views, or warped legal opinions when clear encroachments of our laws are involved.
9. We are also sending a CLEAR MESSAGE that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously, and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.
A man stands in front of a damaged and burnt house following a deadly gunmen attack in Yelwata, Benue State, Nigeria, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Marvellous Durowaiye
Armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen causing mayhem in Benue State have again, attacked two villages, leading to rhe death is two persons.
Nigerian News Sphere reports that the attacks were carried out in Uikpam and Mbabai communities in Guma Local Government Area LGA of the state when the assailants invaded the areas.
Our correspondent gathered on Wednesday morning that one Francis Nomsoor and another victim identified simply as Kelvin lost their lives in the unfortunate attacks.
Kevin, a patent medicine seller was reportedly shot right in his shop and was being conveyed to Daudu for medical attention before he gave up the ghost.
While Francis Nomsoor’s body was reportedly recovered by security agents after the attackers had left the scene.
The state has over a few years suffered unprovoked attacks from the suspected herders.
Several Benue indegenes have been killed while millions are displaced from their ancestoral homes.
Good morning! Here are six top headlines from Nigerian Newspapers today;
1. An unspecified number of Boko Haram terrorists have been killed by troops of the North East Joint Task Force ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, OPHK, in a failed Improvised Explosive Device, IED, ambush along Maiduguri-Kareto- Damasak federal highway in Borno State. Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said Air Marshal Abubakar, revealed this during a courtesy visit to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State.
2. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has granted former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, administrative bail after questioning him over alleged financial misconduct. Tambuwal, who also served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, is accused of fraudulently withdrawing about N189 billion during his tenure as governor.
3. Tragedy struck in the Ipara area of Remo, Ogun State, when a N30,000 car race wager resulted in an accident that left five people, including three suspected Yahoo boys and two residents, dead. According to source, the suspected Yahoo boys had organised a car racing contest with a N30,000 wager for the winner before the incident happened.
4. The Ogun State Police Command has begun the prosecution of two men, Kadir Owolabi and Jamiu Yisa, after they were allegedly caught with three human skulls in the Ijebu area of the state. According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, Owolabi was intercepted while riding a motorcycle along the Ijebu Ode/Ibadan Expressway at the Refugees Camp Junction, Oru Ijebu.
5. Leadership of the Julius Abure faction of Labour Party has warned Independent National Electoral Commission against excluding the party’s logo in the August 16 by-election. National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Obiora Ifoh, gave the warning in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.
6. The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 48 students of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, for allegedly blocking the Bauchi-Tafawa Balewa–Dass highway, burning tyres, hurling stones at motorists, and looting shops during a protest on Tuesday.
