August 12, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Bar Association has faulted Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria for imposing a lifetime “No Fly” ban on Ms. Comfort Emmanson, describing the decision as unlawful and an affront to human dignity.
NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, in a statement on Tuesday, said the measure was heavy-handed and violated due process.
The association expressed outrage over reports and video evidence showing Ms. Emmanson being forcibly removed from an Ibom Air flight on August 10, stripped of her clothing in public, and filmed in a humiliating state, with the footage later circulating online.
“Such conduct is degrading, violates her right to dignity and privacy, and falls far short of the standards of civility and professionalism expected in the aviation sector,” the statement read.
The NBA alleged that an Ibom Air hostess prevented Ms. Emmanson from disembarking, an action it said could amount to false imprisonment and may have sparked the confrontation.
It insisted that an independent investigation must precede any sanctions.
Osigwe stressed that the authority to suspend or restrict a passenger’s right to fly lies with the statutory regulator, not private associations or airlines acting on their own.
The body also condemned the filming and unedited online distribution of the incident, describing it as “an egregious invasion of privacy and a criminal act,” and called for the prosecution of those responsible.
The NBA pledged pro bono legal support to Ms. Emmanson to seek redress, adding: “We will not remain silent while the rights of any Nigerian are trampled upon, whether by public authorities, private corporations, or individuals. Justice must prevail.”
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