Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger who was forcefully removed from the airline’s aircraft on Sunday, August 10, has taken legal action against the Federal Government and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, among several others.

Speaking during a press conference on Friday, public interest lawyer, Ayodele Ademiluyi, on behalf of the passenger demanded N500 billion as damages and breach of law in the handling of two recent aviation sagas between Emmanson and Ibom Air and Fuji singer Ayinde Marshal and ValueJet.

The suit, filed under the number FHC/L/CS/1632/25, lists as respondents: the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo (SAN), NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Ibom Air, ValueJet, the Nigerian Correctional Service, King Wasiu Ayinde, the Nigerian Police Force, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the state’s Attorney-General, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria.

Ademiluyi said the decision to take the legal route is aimed at ensuring accountability and the protection of public interest in the matter.

Decrying the level of systemic rot in the country, the lawyer said the different actions taken by the Federal Government, the airlines and security agencies are worrisome.

Calling for a total overhaul of the Nigerian aviation industry,  Ademiluyi accused the FG of treating the Emmanson case with a sledgehammer while slapping the Fuji singer on the wrist.

“It’s a gross imbalance. There was no arrest, no arraignment, no prosecution of Mr. Kwam 1. In fact, he was rewarded with a brand ambassadorship for the aviation sector. What message does that send to the public?”

He argued that the appointment of King Wasiu as a brand ambassador was inappropriate and undermined the integrity of the sector.

“If someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and be appointed a brand ambassador, it sends the wrong signal,” Ademiluyi said.

Stating that the suit filed against the respondents is a public interest one, Ademiluyi accused the aviation minister, Festus Keyamo of appearing to speak for the airlines involved in both saga.

Further calling for proper sanctions against the singer, Ademiluyi warned that political connections must not be the basis of sanctity and respect for the rule of law.

“This is not about celebrity status or political connections — it’s about the sanctity of the rule of law,” he said. The lawyer also faulted the role of the Airline Operators of Nigeria in the Emmanson case, accusing the body of acting as “complainant, prosecutor and judge” when it initially imposed a life ban on her — a sanction later withdrawn,” Ademiluyi stated.

He further urged the judiciary to use these cases to show its uprightness in upholding justice for the Nigerian populace.