Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has criticised the handling of the case involving Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger arrested and remanded after an altercation with airline staff, describing it as an example of selective justice in Nigeria.
The incident occurred on August 10 during a Uyo-to-Lagos flight when Emmanson allegedly refused to switch off her phone, leading to a confrontation with crew members. She was accused of assaulting a staff member and attempting to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon. Ibom Air later banned her indefinitely, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria placed her on a lifetime no-fly list.
Following her arrest by airport security, she was charged in court and sent to Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
In a video posted on her X account, Yesufu said justice in Nigeria appears to depend on a person’s social standing. While stating she was not against the charges, she insisted that “justice must be for all.”
She compared Emmanson’s treatment to that of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1) and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who were involved in separate airline incidents but faced no arrests or detention.
Yesufu also condemned how security agents handled Emmanson, alleging that they dragged her in a manner that tore her dress and exposed her body, calling it “sexual harassment” and an unnecessary humiliation.
She argued that the incident could have been managed more professionally and questioned why the same level of force was not applied in other high-profile cases.
“Selective justice is injustice,” she concluded.
