The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned what it described as the “heavy-handed and unlawful” treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson during an incident aboard an Ibom Air flight on August 10, 2025, and the subsequent lifetime ban imposed on her by Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

In a strongly worded statement signed by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and General Secretary Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the association said the actions taken against Ms. Emmanson amounted to a grave affront to the rule of law and human dignity.

According to the NBA, Ms. Emmanson was “forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and subjected to humiliation that was filmed and circulated online” — an act it described as degrading, a violation of her rights to dignity and privacy, and far below the standards expected in the aviation industry.

The association also faulted Ibom Air’s handling of the situation, noting that video evidence shows a flight attendant preventing Ms. Emmanson from disembarking, an act the NBA said could amount to false imprisonment and provocation. It called for an independent investigation by relevant authorities before any disciplinary measures are taken.

The NBA criticised the lifetime ban, saying Ms. Emmanson was not given an opportunity to present her side of the story. “This one-sided process… breaches the fundamental principle of fair hearing and renders the decision legally and morally indefensible,” the statement read, adding that only statutory regulators, not private airline associations, have the authority to suspend a passenger’s right to fly.

The association further condemned the unedited circulation of videos exposing Ms. Emmanson’s nudity, describing it as “an egregious invasion of privacy and a criminal act,” and called for those responsible to be identified and prosecuted.

The NBA demanded that Ibom Air and AON immediately withdraw the lifetime ban, issue a public apology, and cooperate with an impartial investigation. It also urged the Minister of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and relevant security agencies to ensure those culpable are sanctioned.

Pledging pro bono legal support for Ms. Emmanson, the NBA vowed not to remain silent when Nigerians’ rights are trampled upon. “Respect for human dignity and the rule of law must never be compromised, and in this matter, justice must prevail,” it declared.