Comfort Emmanson, the passenger at the centre of the controversial Ibom Air Uyo–Lagos flight incident, has publicly denied reports claiming that she filed a staggering ₦500 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Emmanson, who is currently standing trial for allegedly assaulting a purser during a flight in July, clarified through her legal representatives on Sunday that she has not initiated any civil proceedings against the government or its aviation regulator. According to her counsel, the viral reports suggesting that a ₦500 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit had been lodged in her name are false, misleading, and the work of mischief-makers.
“Our client has not filed any suit before any Nigerian court, talk less of demanding ₦500 billion as compensation. These stories are fabricated to distract the public from the ongoing criminal trial and to paint her as confrontational against the state,” the statement read.
The clarification comes after several online blogs and social media platforms circulated claims that Emmanson was seeking unprecedented damages for what she described as “violation of her human rights and unlawful detention.” The reports alleged that she demanded redress from the Federal Government and the NCAA for what she perceived as undue persecution following her removal from the Ibom Air flight.
Legal analysts have pointed out that a ₦500 billion demand would represent one of the largest individual compensation claims in Nigerian history, fueling public curiosity and widespread debate about the case. However, Emmanson’s denial has now thrown those claims into serious doubt.
The embattled passenger is already facing multiple charges, including assault, unruly conduct on an aircraft, and endangering public safety, offences which the NCAA and security agencies insist threaten the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation sector. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the matter is still pending before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Civil society groups have urged both the media and the public to exercise caution, warning against the spread of unverified information that could undermine judicial processes or prejudice the court’s eventual ruling.
Meanwhile, industry stakeholders say the case continues to highlight the need for stricter enforcement of passenger conduct rules in Nigerian aviation. The NCAA has repeatedly stressed that incidents of violence against crew members or flight disruptions will be met with zero tolerance.
For now, Emmanson maintains that her focus is on defending herself in court, not on pursuing financial claims against the government.
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