A man who sat beside Comfort Emmanson on the August 10 Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos says the viral incident involving her began after an air hostess allegedly mocked her for being unable to read.
The eyewitness, who shared his account with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, said he occupied seat 14B while Emmanson sat directly across the aisle.
“At no time did Miss Emmanson refuse to switch off her phone for take-off,” he said. “She only asked for help because the phone buttons were not working. She even said she could not read the instructions given.”
He claimed that one hostess spoke kindly to her, but another approached “with a very high voice” and refused to assist, instead telling her she had “no time” for her “nonsense.” He alleged the second hostess’ comments humiliated Emmanson and provoked her reaction.
“The gentleman beside her eventually helped switch off the phone. Some passengers shouted at her to comply, but when we explained, they calmed down,” he added.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed the testimony in a post on X, calling it a verifiable witness account. “There is a lot to unbundle, and we will get to the root of it. Every culpable party will be held accountable,” he said.
He added that the authority had issued a Letter of Investigation to Ibom Air and would invite the airline and witnesses to a meeting.
The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, earlier announced that criminal complaints against Emmanson and singer Wasiu Ayinde Marshall over separate airport incidents had been withdrawn after consultations and appeals. Ibom Air has also lifted the lifetime ban on Emmanson, citing her remorse.
