By
Henry Barnabas Ehi (Notary)
Please kindly note that while reading this write-up, the views expressed are entirely mine.
Justice, they say, is a three-way traffic — it must serve all parties equally. That is why I wholly condemn the way and manner Miss Comfort Emmanson was treated aboard the Ibom Air flight.
Although I was not a direct witness to what transpired on board, I have watched disturbing video footage showing how she was dragged from the aircraft by men, her clothes torn, and her body exposed. This degrading treatment clearly violated her right to dignity.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is explicit. Section 34(1)(a) provides that “every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly… no person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.” The Constitution also prescribes lawful procedures for effecting arrests or restraining a person none of which include public humiliation or exposure.
Assuming, without conceding, that Miss Comfort Emmanson was violent on board, there were lawful and humane ways to subdue her without degrading her person especially considering the societal duty to protect women from such treatment.
This incident also reflects the familiar Nigerian cliché: “Do you know who I am?” A similar case occurred involving a prominent VIP who allegedly tried to stop an aircraft from taking off and even poured what was suspected to be alcohol on a pilot. That individual walked away without consequence, while Miss Emmanson accused of merely confronting an air hostess — was publicly humiliated.
According to Ibom Air’s own statement, the passenger was held down by the air hostesses until she was dragged out. There was no clear evidence of her assaulting anyone, but even if there had been, the crew and airport security had the option to wait for the police to board the aircraft and remove her in a professional manner. Instead, she was hauled out in a way that exposed her nakedness to the world.
I strongly believe that Miss Emmanson has a valid cause of action under Nigerian law and should explore every available legal avenue to seek redress. This is not merely about one individual it is about affirming that in our country, justice must be fair, blind, and humane for everyone, not only for the privileged.
Henry Barnabas Ehi ( Notary)
Assistant General Secretary
Nigerian Bar Association
