Emmanson: Keyamo Condemns Release Of Indecent Footage, Vows To Sanction Culprits

THE Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has strongly condemned the release of indecent footage of the unruly passenger on Ibom Air flight, Comfort Emmanson.
Keyamo, in a statement, directed those responsible for the release of the video among the staff of the airline or security personnel be singled out and sanctioned, insisting the action was unacceptable.
He also directed a joint security meeting among relevant agencies next week for better coordination of security measures in such situations, adding: “Apart from the indefinite flight ban imposed on the said unruly passenger (both local and international) by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Police have promptly arraigned her this morning at the Ikeja Magistrates Court for criminal offences and remanded her at Kirikiri Prison, as she could not provide adequate sureties in court.
“I have attached the Charge Sheet and Remand Order for clarity.
“We also note the scuffle that took place between the unruly passenger and ground personnel before she was eventually subdued. This was because of her uncooperative attitude.
“Whilst we support the filming of her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence to prosecute her, what is deplorable is to release such evidence containing indecent exposure to the public to ridicule her. That is totally unacceptable to us. We will not fold our arms and tolerate the debasing of womanhood.
“I have, therefore, directed that whoever released that part of the video containing the indecent exposure amongst the staff should be singled out and adequately sanctioned.
“I have also directed that the airlines must continue to train and retrain their staff in public relations and how to deal with potentially explosive situations in order to diffuse them promptly or nip them in the bud, except when it becomes inevitable.
“I have also directed a joint security meeting between relevant agencies next week for better coordination of security measures in situations like this or similar ones we witnessed recently.
“For genuinely aggrieved passengers, there are clearly laid-down remedies to address grievances. The Consumer Protection Directorate of the NCAA has consistently advertised these remedies and there is no point trying to take the laws into one’s hands that may lead to dire consequences.”