Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre over alleged unruly conduct on a Lagos-bound flight from Uyo, has been released.
Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami of the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court discharged Emmanson on Wednesday after striking out the five counts against her, following the withdrawal of the case.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed her release, stating, “Emmanson has gone home from the court. I can confirm that.”
Keyamo explained that the decision followed consultations with aviation stakeholders and appeals from concerned individuals.
He noted that Emmanson showed remorse during her police statement, prompting Ibom Air to drop the complaint.
“In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on Ibom Air on August 10, 2025, I urged the airline to withdraw the complaint. She demonstrated deep regret for her actions,” the minister said.
Also, the Airline Operators of Nigeria agreed to revoke the lifetime flight ban imposed on her.
While condemning her behaviour, Keyamo also criticised the circulation of an indecent video from the incident, calling for action against those responsible.
Emmanson had been accused of assaulting a flight attendant and resisting security agents at Lagos airport, leading to her arraignment and detention after failing to provide sureties.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
