Civil rights advocate, Princess Olatorera Majekodunmi-Oniru, has petitioned the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, demanding the immediate release of Miss Comfort Emmanson, a passenger on the Ibom Air Uyo, Lagos flight (IAN513), who is currently remanded at Kirikiri Prison.

In a letter to the minister, Princess Oniru described Comfort’s detention as a “grave injustice” and a blatant violation of her fundamental human rights, calling the circumstances “deeply troubling and highly unjust.”

According to viral accounts, the incident began when Comfort allegedly refused to switch off her phone during the flight, insisting it was in flight mode. Princess Oniru argued that what should have been a minor disagreement escalated into “a traumatising prevention from disembarking, sexual assault, harassment by at least five airline or airport personnel, arrest, imprisonment, and a lifetime travel ban.”

She condemned the alleged mistreatment as “inhumane” and stressed that no passenger should endure such an ordeal. Comfort deserved far better, “We must resist all forms of maltreatment, often fuelled by abuse of power, similar to the suffering endured by millions in Gaza, North Korea, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and beyond.” she stated. 

The activist urged the authorities to free Comfort immediately, review the case lawfully, and ensure due compensation for violations of her rights. She also called for urgent reforms in consumer protection, criminal justice, and global human rights standards.

“We will continue to work with both national and international authorities to ensure justice is served for Comfort Emmanson and to set a lasting precedent against the mistreatment of airline passengers worldwide,” she added.