The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has explained why different sanctions were imposed on Comfort Emmason and Wasiu Ayinde, both of whom have a history of violating aviation regulations.
The NCAA’s director of public affairs and consumer protection, Michael Achimugu, who was a guest on Channels Television on Tuesday morning, explained that Ayinde was not arraigned because Valuejet did not initiate a court order against him, unlike Ibom Air, which did in Emmason’s case.
On August 5, Ayinde attempted to ground a flight after reportedly violating aviation regulations by attempting to board with a flask containing liquid. Ayinde was thereafter placed on a no-fly list indefinitely by the NCAA for his actions.
Five days after this incident, Emmason, an Ibom Air passenger, violently assaulted a purser who instructed her to switch off her mobile phone. The 26-year-old passenger was arraigned and banned from flying for life.
Many Nigerians, including a former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have questioned why Ayinde has not been arraigned like Emmson.
“There is no comparison here. It’s not a case of oranges and oranges. The airline did not activate its right to take The passenger to court, so it did what it’s supposed to do by petitioning the relevant authorities to prosecute the passenger.
“In the Ibom Air incident, maybe because you know their staff has been
assaulted the airline immediately activated its right to take up the matter,” Achimugu explained.
The NCAA’s director of public affairs, Michael Achimugu, who was a guest on Channels Television on Tuesday morning, explained that Ayinde was not arraigned because Valuejet did not initiate a court order against him, unlike Ibom Air did in Emmason’s case.
“There is no comparison here. It’s not a case of oranges and oranges. The airline did not activate its right to take The passenger to court, so it did what it’s supposed to do by petitioning the relevant authorities to prosecute the passenger.
“In the Ibom Air incident, maybe because you know their staff has been assaulted, the airline immediately activated its right to take up the matter,” Achimugu explained.
Addressing claims that Ayinde was placed on a no-fly list for six months, Achimugu noted that Ayinde was suspended from flying indefinitely until investigations have been concluded.
