The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has commenced a formal investigation into the recent altercation between Comfort Emanson, a passenger, and members of the Ibom Air crew.
As part of the ongoing probe, NCAA officials met on Wednesday in Abuja with Julie Edwards, a crew member accused of masterminding the passengers’ ordeal and other crew members who were directly involved in the incident.
The NCAA made this known through a post by its publicist, Michael Achimugu, on his X account on Thursday. The authority’s team included representatives from key directorates, such as Aviation Security, Operations, Licensing, Training Standards, Legal, and Consumer Protection, which were said to be working to ensure a thorough and impartial review of the incident.
Achimugu’s post reads, “Yesterday in Abuja, the NCAA team met with Julie Edwards and other members of the crew involved in the Comfort Emanson incident as part of investigations into that event.
“The NCAA’s directorates of Aviation Security, Operations, Licensing, and Training Standards; Legal; and Consumer Protection are collaborating to ensure a proper conclusion to this investigation.”
The embattled passenger had also been scheduled to meet with the authority later on Thursday. “She will be accompanied by her legal counsel during the session,” Achimugu stated.
Comfort and Ibom Air, in recent times, have been the centre of discussion over a disturbing video of the airline officials manhandling her. She had boarded the airline’s flight from Uyo to Lagos, where she allegedly attacked a flight attendant and clashed with airport officials at the airport.
The alleged assault led to her arraignment before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on criminal charges and subsequent remand at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos State.
She later regained freedom after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, directed the airline to withdraw its complaint against her. However, the NCAA has assured the public of its commitment to upholding standards of professionalism and safety across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
