Peter Obi, former Anambra governor and Labour Party chieftain, has decried the double standards of Nigerian aviation authorities for arresting and remanding unruly Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, while ignoring Fuji musician, Wasiu “KWAM1” Ayinde’s act of holding an aircraft hostage.
In a statement on Monday, Mr Obi said, “While Ms. Comfort Emmanson is in jail, the other offender who committed a more severe offence has not been held to the same standard. He has neither been arrested nor arraigned in any court,” referring to KWAM1, a President Bola Tinubu ally, who held an aircraft hostage last week Tuesday.
“It is unacceptable that she was hurriedly taken to court and remanded, while someone who visibly held a plane from taking off and put hundreds of lives at risk is still at large, with government agencies and some state officials speaking up for him to be forgiven,” Mr Obi said.
He added, “This case is not just about one young woman, it is about the double standards that poison our justice system. Justice in Nigeria must never be about who is poor or powerless versus who has influence or access to government officials.”
According to Mr Obi, Ms Emmanson’s offence does not compare to the crimes committed daily by those parading themselves as “excellencies” while looting public funds without consequence, and yet they have not been stripped or dehumanised in the name of justice.
He added, “We must end this selective treatment of the poor or less privileged. If justice must be served, it should be served to all, and it must be served fairly. The Minister of Aviation and other relevant authorities owe the public an explanation for these double standards in their adjudication. Justice must be just, or it is nothing at all.”
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said KWAM1’s holding an aircraft hostage is considered an act of “terrorism in most climes.”
Mike Achimugu, spokesperson for the NCAA, condemned KWAM1’s disruption of a ValueJet aircraft’s take-off last Tuesday in an interview with Arise TV on Sunday.
While Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation, banned KWAM1 from flying in Nigerian airspace after a video of him holding a ValueJet aircraft hostage emerged on social media, the NCAA petitioned Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation, and Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police, to prosecute KWAM1.
Amid backlash and criticism that trailed his action, KWAM1 made a video apologising for his actions.
