In a move aimed at de-escalating recent aviation controversies, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has intervened in two high-profile incidents involving unruly passengers. Keyamo has asked Ibom Air to withdraw its criminal charges against passenger Comfort Emmanson and has also directed a significant reduction in the flight ban imposed on Fuji music star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as KWAM 1.

The incident involving Comfort Emmanson, which occurred on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, sparked widespread public debate. Emmanson was accused of assaulting flight crew and ground staff after she refused to switch off her phone during takeoff. The situation escalated, and a video showing a physical altercation where her clothes were torn and she was exposed, was circulated online. This led to a lifetime flight ban from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and a criminal complaint from Ibom Air, resulting in her being remanded in custody.

Keyamo, in a statement, condemned the public release of the video containing indecent exposure, calling it "unacceptable." He announced that following his intervention, Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its criminal complaint. The minister noted that Emmanson had shown "great remorse" for her conduct during her police statement. The withdrawal of the charges is expected to lead to her release from prison. Furthermore, Keyamo has appealed to the AON to lift the lifetime flight ban, an appeal to which they have reportedly agreed. The decision was hailed by some, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which had previously offered Emmanson free legal support and called the airline's actions "heavy-handed" and a "grave affront to human dignity."

In a separate but related development, the minister addressed the case of KWAM 1. The Fuji maestro had been placed on a six-month flight ban by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and faced a criminal complaint for allegedly obstructing a ValueJet aircraft's movement at the Abuja airport. He was accused of carrying a prohibited item, spilling its contents, and walking onto the tarmac, disrupting the plane's taxiing.

Following appeals from various individuals and the musician's public expression of "penitence," Keyamo has directed the NCAA to reduce the flight ban to a one-month period. Additionally, the criminal complaint against KWAM 1 will be withdrawn. The minister also disclosed that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) plans to engage KWAM 1 as an "ambassador for proper airport security protocol" to promote awareness on acceptable conduct within the aviation space. The pilots involved in the incident will also have their licenses restored after a one-month suspension and mandatory professional re-appraisal.

While granting clemency on "compassionate grounds," Minister Keyamo emphasized that the government remains committed to enforcing safety and security laws in the aviation sector. He also announced that a retreat will be held to retrain aviation security personnel on how to de-escalate situations with unruly passengers. These decisions, while controversial to some who argue for a consistent application of the law, signal a shift towards a more conciliatory approach to resolving disputes and a focus on rehabilitation and education over punitive measures.