By Ismail Shuaib
ABUJA: The Federal Government has moved to end two high-profile aviation disputes, withdrawing criminal complaints and lifting flight bans against singer Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, and Ibom Air passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson.
In a statement on Wednesday, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, said the decision followed consultations with stakeholders, public appeals, and the remorse shown by those involved.
For the August 10 incident involving Emmanson, Keyamo said Ibom Air had agreed to drop its complaint, paving the way for her release from Kirikiri Prison this week. The Airline Operators of Nigeria will also lift the lifetime flying ban placed on her.
On the ValueJet incident involving KWAM 1, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will reduce his ban to one month and engage him as an ambassador for airport security protocol. The NCAA will also drop its criminal complaint against the Fuji music icon.
ValueJet pilots, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, will have their licenses restored after serving a one-month suspension and undergoing mandatory professional reappraisal.
Keyamo announced that a special retreat will hold next week to retrain aviation security personnel on handling disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations, while airline staff conduct will also come under review.
He stressed that the clemency was granted on compassionate grounds and warned that future breaches of aviation laws would be met with zero tolerance.
“This is the line we are drawing,” Keyamo declared. “Safety and security in the aviation sector remain non-negotiable.”
