Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger recently at the centre of a widely reported inflight altercation, has come out to debunk claims that she filed a N500 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
In a statement posted on her official Instagram story, Emmanson described the reports as “false and misleading.” She stated that she has not yet initiated any legal proceedings, contrary to what was reported in some media outlets.
“I have not taken any such legal action yet. When I eventually do anything of such nature (which is imminent), I will personally update the public myself via my official page,” she wrote on her Instagram story.
Her response comes after several online platforms claimed she had taken legal action demanding N500 billion in damages. The false report had gained traction on social media, sparking widespread reactions and debates across various online forums.
The incident that brought Emmanson into public attention occurred aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos. According to reports, during the routine safety briefing before takeoff, Emmanson allegedly refused to switch off her mobile phone as instructed by the flight crew.
Following repeated warnings, she was said to have become aggressive and allegedly attacked a purser on board. The situation led to a disruption of the flight, and Emmanson was later arrested and charged in court for her actions.
Ibom Air proceeded to file formal charges against her, and in response, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) announced a lifetime ban against her from flying on any of its member airlines. This decision drew mixed reactions from the public — some saw it as a justified disciplinary measure, while others argued it was too harsh.
However, the ban was lifted not long after, following high-level discussions involving key stakeholders in the aviation sector.
In a major development on August 13, the Nigerian Police Force formally withdrew all charges against Emmanson. This followed consultations led by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former human rights lawyer, reportedly intervened in the case in a bid to de-escalate tensions and promote a peaceful resolution. The court handling the matter subsequently approved the withdrawal of the charges and discharged Emmanson from all legal proceedings.
This move was seen by many as a reconciliatory gesture, especially given the public attention the case had attracted. It also raised fresh conversations about the balance between enforcing aviation safety rules and ensuring passengers are treated fairly.
Not long after the withdrawal of charges, rumours began circulating that Emmanson had filed a whopping N500 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government and the NCAA for damages and rights violations.
The rumour led to a new wave of reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning the size of the alleged claim, while others speculated about the motive behind such a move.
However, Emmanson’s recent social media clarification has now put the matter to rest — at least for now.
Although she denied filing any lawsuit as of now, Emmanson hinted that legal action could still be in the works. By using the word “imminent” in her post, she suggested that she may still pursue legal redress in the future.
“If I decide to take such steps, I will inform the public myself,” she wrote.
The entire episode has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians both online and offline. While some believe Emmanson was unfairly treated and deserves compensation, others insist that airline safety rules must be strictly obeyed by all passengers, regardless of status or circumstance.
“I think the whole situation was poorly handled from both sides,” said Ijeoma Okonkwo, a frequent air traveller in Lagos. “But if she was assaulted or mistreated beyond the law, she has the right to sue — just not N500 billion. That’s extreme.”
Others worry that the incident might discourage airlines from enforcing safety rules out of fear of backlash or legal consequences. Aviation authorities, meanwhile, have yet to release a detailed report on the incident.
For now, Comfort Emmanson has denied filing any lawsuit against the Federal Government or the NCAA, and the public awaits her next move. Whether legal action is still on the horizon remains to be seen.
