Lagos, Nigeria – 11 August 2025 – Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has strongly criticised what he describes as “double standards” in Nigeria’s justice system, following two recent disruptive incidents in the aviation sector. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Obi highlighted the stark contrast in treatment between a female passenger accused of assaulting airline staff and a prominent musician who allegedly delayed a flight, calling for fair and equal application of the law.
The controversy centres on an incident involving Miss Comfort Emmanson, who was aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on 10 August 2025. According to reports, Emmanson allegedly assaulted airline crew members during the flight, escalating into a confrontation with airport security upon arrival in Lagos. She was subsequently charged with assault and remanded in Kirikiri Prison by a court in Lagos. The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has imposed a lifetime no-fly ban on her, citing her behaviour as a threat to aviation safety. Eyewitness accounts and official statements indicate that Emmanson was stripped publicly during the altercation with security operatives, an action Obi condemned as “dehumanising” and “unnecessary.”
In his X post, Obi began by apologising to the Ibom Air crew affected by the assault, emphasising the need for society to uphold good conduct. However, he swiftly turned to the handling of the case, stating: “I must equally strongly condemn the dehumanising treatment meted out to this young woman. Stripping her publicly was not only unnecessary but also represents the height of rascality and abuse by our agencies.” He noted that Emmanson was “hurriedly taken to court and remanded,” while drawing a parallel to another incident where accountability appeared lacking.
The second case involves renowned Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as KWAM1 or K1 De Ultimate. On 5 August 2025, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Marshall allegedly obstructed a ValueJet flight bound for Lagos by approaching the aircraft wings after being denied boarding with alcohol, in violation of aviation regulations. The incident reportedly disrupted operations and raised safety concerns, with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) launching a probe. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has indicated moves towards prosecution, and the pilots’ union has demanded action. However, as of now, Marshall has not been arrested or arraigned, instead issuing a public apology where he accepted responsibility but disputed some details of the allegations.
Obi argued that this disparity exemplifies systemic inequalities, particularly against the poor, powerless, and women. “While Ms. Comfort Emmanson is in jail, the other offender who committed a more severe offence has not been held to the same standard. He has neither been arrested nor arraigned in any court,” he wrote. He further compared Emmanson’s treatment to the impunity enjoyed by influential figures involved in larger crimes like public fund looting, urging an end to “selective treatment of the poor or less privileged.”
The politician called on the Minister of Aviation and other authorities to explain these inconsistencies, stressing that “justice must be just, or it is nothing at all.” Obi concluded by advocating for a “new Nigeria” where the rule of law ensures equality for all, signing off with his signature phrase: “A new Nigeria is POssible.”
These incidents have sparked widespread debate on social media, with many echoing Obi’s concerns about bias in law enforcement. Aviation stakeholders, including FAAN and the NCAA, have yet to respond directly to Obi’s statement, but the cases underscore ongoing challenges in maintaining order and fairness in Nigeria’s bustling aviation industry.
