Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has appealed to Ibom Air to withdraw criminal charges filed against Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of assaulting cabin crew during a Uyo–Lagos flight on August 10.

Keyamo also announced that the flight ban earlier imposed on Fuji legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) over a disruption involving a ValuJet flight has been reduced from three months to one month.

The minister, in a statement on Tuesday, said the appeal to Ibom Air was made in the “spirit of restorative justice” and with assurances from Emmanson to publicly apologise for her actions. He added that the ministry is committed to ensuring such incidents are prevented in the future through enhanced passenger sensitisation and stricter enforcement of aviation regulations.

Ibom Air had earlier placed a permanent ban on Emmanson following the incident, while the Nigeria Police took her into custody after she allegedly assaulted multiple crew members and attempted to seize a fire extinguisher onboard.

On KWAM 1’s case, Keyamo explained that the ban reduction came after consultations with relevant stakeholders, adding that the musician has expressed remorse and pledged full compliance with aviation safety protocols going forward.