By Prince Amb. (Dr.) Adedipe Dauda Ewenla
Subject: Demand for Justice, Accountability, and Respect for the Rights of the Female Passenger Arrested on Ibom Air Flight
Your Excellency and Honourable Minister,
I write as a concerned Nigerian citizen, professional in security management, and advocate for justice, to express my strong condemnation of the recent inhumane treatment of a female passenger, Comfort Emmanson (also known as Comfort Bob), who was arrested, charged, and remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre after an incident aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos.
1. Violation of Constitutional Rights
The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly provides:
Section 34(1): “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.
Section 37: “The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications is hereby guaranteed and protected.
The handling of Ms. Emmanson by male security personnel, publicly exposing parts of her body—including her breasts—constitutes degrading treatment in violation of Section 34.
The unauthorised recording and public release of a video showing her in a state of undress is a gross invasion of privacy under Section 37.
2. Breach of Data Protection and Cybercrime Laws
Nigeria’s Data Protection Act 2023 and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 criminalise the unauthorised use, transmission, or publication of personal images or videos without consent. Whoever recorded and published this video online committed an offence and should face immediate prosecution.
3. Selective Justice and Abuse of Power
It is deeply troubling that while an ordinary Nigerian woman is swiftly arrested, prosecuted, and shamed publicly, prominent individuals—such as Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1)—accused of serious misconduct in public spaces face no arrest or prosecution.
This double standard erodes public trust in the justice system and violates the constitutional principle of equal protection under the law (Section 42). Justice must not be for the rich and connected alone.
4. Government and Regulatory Action Required
I demand the following immediate actions:
1. Release of Comfort Emmanson on bail or unconditional discharge pending a fair review of her case.
2. Investigation and sanction of Ibom Air for its role in the privacy violation, including suspension or revocation of its operating license if found culpable.
3. Disciplinary action against the male security personnel who handled her inappropriately.
4. Prosecution of individuals who recorded and published her naked video.
5. Clear directives to all law enforcement agencies to ensure equal application of the law, without favour or bias towards politically connected individuals.
5. Call for Presidential and Ministerial Leadership
Your Excellency, leadership is measured by the courage to protect the weakest citizens against the abuse of the powerful. The presidency and the Ministry of Aviation must send a clear message that Nigeria is governed by the rule of law, not selective justice.
Failure to act will only reinforce the perception that the poor have no rights and the rich are above the law—a reality that contradicts the democratic ideals we profess.
Signed:
Prince Amb. (Dr.) Adedipe Dauda Ewenla
Technician Surveyor | Real Estate Investor | Security Expert
NIS, PSU, DiL, BSc, B.Tech, MSc
PDP Southwest Ex-officio
