Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has condemned the treatment meted out to an Ibom Air passenger over allegations of assault against the airline’s crew.
Reacting to a viral video clip where the Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, was seen being dragged away from the aircraft by security officials and in the process, she was stripped of her blouse, Obi said on his X handle that the treatment meted out to her was dehumanising.
Obi condemned the passenger’s unruly behaviour but said the treatment meted out to her is worse than that which was meted out to popular Nigerian musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1), who was seen in a video trying to prevent a ValueJet aircraft from taking off.
Obi said: “The unfortunate and dishonourable drama witnessed in Ibom Air has again brought to the fore the double standards in our lives and the inadequacies of our various security operatives in acting decently and in a civilised manner.
”I want to start by sincerely apologising to the Ibom Air crew who were assaulted by Miss Comfort Emmanson. We must, as a society, learn and uphold good conduct, as it is a true measure of success and decent living.
”However, 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. It is unacceptable that she was hurriedly taken to court and remanded, while someone who visibly held a plane from taking off and put hundreds of lives at risk is still at large, with government agencies and some state officials speaking up for him to be forgiven.
”This case is not just about one young woman; it is about the double standards that poison our justice system. Justice in Nigeria must never be about who is poor or powerless versus who has influence or access to government officials.
”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.
”We must build a country where justice is fair, equal, and not selective, especially against women who are seen to be weaker. This young lady’s offence does not compare to the crimes committed daily by those parading themselves as “excellencies” while looting public funds without consequence, and yet they have not been stripped or dehumanised in the name of justice.
”We must end this selective treatment of the poor or less privileged. If justice must be served, it should be served to all, and it must be served fairly. The Minister of Aviation and other relevant authorities owe the public an explanation for these double standards in their adjudication.
“Justice must be just, or it is nothing at all. The rule of law based on justice for all must remain the guidepost of our democracy
Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has condemned the treatment given to an Ibom Air passenger accused of assaulting the airline’s crew.
Reacting to a viral video showing the passenger, Comfort Emmanson, being dragged away from the aircraft by security officials and stripped of her blouse in the process, Obi described the incident as dehumanising.
While condemning the passenger’s unruly behaviour, Obi said the treatment she received was worse than what was meted out to popular Nigerian musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, who was seen in a video trying to prevent a ValueJet aircraft from taking off.
He said the unfortunate and dishonourable incident on Ibom Air again highlights the double standards in society and the failure of some security operatives to act with decency and civility.
Obi apologised to the Ibom Air crew who were assaulted by Comfort Emmanson, stressing that society must learn and uphold good conduct as a true measure of success and decent living.
However, he strongly condemned the public stripping of the young woman, describing it as unnecessary and the height of rascality and abuse by the authorities. He said it was unacceptable that she was quickly taken to court and remanded while someone who endangered hundreds of lives by preventing a plane from taking off remains free, with some government officials calling for him to be forgiven.
According to Obi, the issue goes beyond one individual, as it reflects the double standards that undermine the justice system. He stated that justice in Nigeria must never be determined by wealth, influence, or access to government officials.
While Comfort Emmanson is in jail, Obi noted, the other offender who committed a more serious offence has not been arrested or charged. He emphasised that the country must be built on fairness and equal justice, not selective punishment, especially against women perceived as weaker.
He added that the young woman’s offence does not compare to the crimes committed daily by those who loot public funds without consequence, yet are never stripped or humiliated in the name of justice.
Obi called for an end to selective treatment of the poor and less privileged, stating that justice must be served to all and served fairly. He said the Minister of Aviation and other relevant authorities owe the public an explanation for these double standards.
Justice must be just, he concluded, or it is nothing at all. The rule of law based on justice for all must remain the guiding principle of democracy.
