Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger recently freed from Prison, has spoken publicly for the first time since her release, revealing she is still recovering from the ordeal.
The former detainee was discharged on Wednesday by an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ogba, Lagos, after facing charges of disorderly conduct aboard an Ibom Air flight.
In an emotional post shared on her Instagram page shortly after regaining freedom, Emmanson expressed gratitude to friends, supporters, and well-wishers who stood by her during the legal battle and period of incarceration.
“Thank you so much for all the prayers, love, and support. I’ve been released from the prison, but I’m still in pains due to how I was treated. I just need some rest and medical treatment before I give out my own version of the event. Thank you so much my lovely friends and supporters. I really appreciate y’all from the bottom of my heart. God bless y’all. THANK YOU MY GREAT GOD!!!” she wrote.
SEE HER POST BELOW
Her remarks came just hours after Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami struck out the five-count charge filed against her. The charges alleged that she disrupted peace aboard an Ibom Air flight, assaulted a crew member, and engaged in conduct capable of breaching public order.
The withdrawal of the charges followed the decision of both the complainant and the airline to discontinue the case. With no further interest from the parties involved, the court ordered her immediate discharge from custody.
Emmanson’s case attracted significant public attention, especially after her detention in Kirikiri Prison. The incident was one of two recent high-profile cases of unruly behavior involving airline passengers, the other being the August 5 confrontation between Fuji music star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, also known as KWAM 1, and ValueJet staff.
Following her release, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, hinted that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) may consider appointing Emmanson as an ambassador for good passenger conduct, given her show of remorse.
For now, Emmanson says her priority is rest and medical treatment, with a promise to share her side of the story at a later time.