Court discharges Ibom Air passenger accused of unruly conduct

A Magistrates’ Court in Ogba, Lagos State, has discharged Miss Comfort Emmason of charges relating to alleged unruly behaviour and assault aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday.

Presiding Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami struck out the five-count charge against Miss Emmason following the withdrawal of the case by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Airport Command.

At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel Oluwabunmi Adeitan informed the court of new developments which prompted the withdrawal, citing Section 72(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Defence counsel, Adams Atakpa, confirmed his awareness of the prosecution’s decision and raised no objection to the application.

In his ruling, Magistrate Salami advised Miss Emmason to exercise greater discretion in her future dealings, regardless of provocation, noting that she bore some responsibility in the incident.

The court thereafter struck out the charges and formally discharged the defendant.

Miss Emmason had been arraigned earlier in the week and granted bail in the sum of ₦500,000, with two sureties in like sum. She was, however, remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre after failing to meet the bail conditions prior to her discharge.