Reprieves came the way of Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour and assault aboard an Ibom Air flight, as she regained her freedom.

She was discharged by Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami of the Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Lagos, after the five-count charge filed against her was withdrawn.

Emmanson was initially arraigned in court on Monday and granted bail in the sum of ₦500,000 with two sureties in like sum. However, she was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre after failing to meet the bail conditions.

However, at the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Oluwabunmi Adeitan, informed the court that they have an application from the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Airport Command, to withdraw the charge.

She stated that her withdrawal was in accordance with Section 72(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

“There is a new development and new facts that have emerged that necessitate the withdrawal of the charge for further investigation,” she said.

She also presented a letter from the police boss dated August 13, 2025, which the court admitted as evidence.

However, when Magistrate Salami asked the defendant’s counsel, Adams Atakpa, for his response to the application, he stated that he was aware of the decision and had no objection to the prosecution’s application. “The defence has no objection to the application of the prosecution,” he said.

The court further requested clarification on the withdrawal of the charge against Emmason, with Inspector Adeitan informing the court that the CP wishes to investigate the matter further.

“We want to withdraw the charge. We don’t want the defendant to be before the court now,” he said.

When probed further by the court, the prosecutor said, “It is unconditional withdrawal.”

In his ruling, Magistrate Salami admonished Miss Emmason to exercise some level of wisdom in whatever she does in future, no matter the aggravation, adding that she played a role in some regards in the controversy.

“This is because you might not be this fortunate in another matter in future. I hope you will learn from this experience and become a better person,” he said.

Magistrate Salami subsequently struck out the five-count charges and discharged the defendant.

Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), announced the decisions following consultations with stakeholders in the aviation sector.

According to the minister, the resolutions were reached after reviewing the incidents, considering appeals from well-meaning individuals, and taking into account the remorse shown by those involved.

Keyamo revealed that Ibom Air had agreed to withdraw its complaint against Ms. Emmanson, who was arrested in connection with the incident on August 10, 2025.

Meanwhile, various human rights groups such as the Nigerian Bar Association NBA, International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) have condemned remanding the defendant. They noted that Emmanson’s rights to dignity, freedom of movement, and due process were flagrantly breached.

“The incident was marked by an unjustified use of excessive force in detaining Ms. Emmanson, resulting in a violation of her dignity and the humiliating public exposure of her body,” the group stated. “There was no visible attempt at de-escalation by airline staff before security was summoned.”