- Ademiluyi, in the suit, filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, asserted that the handling of two aviation offences involving popular musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal and Emmanson is a blatant violation of the rule of law.
Comfort Emmanson, the lady at the centre of the recent airport furore involving Ibom Air, has instituted a legal action against the airline company, the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and several other key stakeholders.
In a suit filed under the number FHC/L/CS/1632/25, by public interest lawyer, Ayodele Ademiluyi, on behalf of Emmanson, N500 billion in damages is being demanded over the dehumanising treatment that was meted out to her during the saga.
Ademiluyi, in the suit, filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, asserted that the handling of the two aviation offences involving popular musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal and Emmanson is a blatant violation of the rule of law
The respondents in the suits are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo (SAN), NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Ibom Air, ValueJet, the Nigerian Correctional Service, King Wasiu Ayinde, the Nigerian Police Force, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the state’s Attorney-General, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria.
Ademiluyi, who is also convener of the Movement for Justice and Secretary of the Radical Gender Movement, announced the development at a press conference,
According to him, the action was imperative to enforce accountability and protect the public interest.
He noted that the matter goes beyond the personalities involved and points to systemic rot in the aviation sector, calling for a total industry cleanup.
“Our aviation system needs a complete overhaul. We cannot allow impunity to reign or degenerate into a banana republic where someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and walk away without consequence,” he said.
The lawyer criticised the handling of the two incidents, alleging inequality and favouritism in the treatment of both parties.
He accused authorities of failing to arrest, arraign, or prosecute King Wasiu despite allegations against him, while Emmanson faced immediate sanctions.
He said: “It’s a gross imbalance. There was no arrest, no arraignment, no prosecution of Mr. Kwam 1. In fact, he was rewarded with a brand ambassadorship for the aviation sector. What message does that send to the public?”
He argued that the appointment of King Wasiu as a brand ambassador was inappropriate and undermined the integrity of the sector.
“If someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and be appointed a brand ambassador, it sends the wrong signal,” he said.
Ademiluyi further alleged that Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, had acted in a manner unbecoming of his office, claiming he appeared to be speaking for one of the airlines involved rather than enforcing the law.
“We are asking for an order of mandamus to compel relevant authorities to take proper action against those involved, particularly Mr. Kwam 1.
“This is not about celebrity status or political connections — it’s about the sanctity of the rule of law,” he said. The lawyer also faulted the role of the Airline Operators of Nigeria in the Emmanson case, accusing the body of acting as “complainant, prosecutor and judge” when it initially imposed a life ban on her — a sanction later withdrawn.
“The central issue remains: Mr. Kwam 1 is walking the streets free. That is a big slap on the rule of law,” he stressed. “The suit we have filed is a public interest action. The collective interest of the polity is at stake,” he said.
He urged the judiciary to use the case to set a precedent that no one, regardless of influence or status, is above the law
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