A Lagos-based human rights and public interest lawyer, Ayodele Ademiluyi, has filed a ₦500 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and several other parties over what he described as a “blatant breach of the rule of law” in the handling of two controversial aviation incidents involving Fuji music legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) and a female passenger, Comfort Emmanson.
The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1632/25, names a wide array of respondents: the President of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo (SAN), NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Ibom Air, ValueJet, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), KWAM 1 himself, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the state’s Attorney-General, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
Rule of Law on Trial
Ademiluyi accused the respondents of selectively applying the law, arguing that the starkly different treatment of KWAM 1 and Ms. Emmanson reveals a dangerous precedent of double standards in Nigeria’s aviation and justice systems.
According to him, while Emmanson was swiftly arrested, prosecuted, and remanded in prison over an altercation with Ibom Air, KWAM 1—whose confrontation with ValueJet staff allegedly disrupted flight operations—has not faced any meaningful sanction.
“We are asking for an order of mandamus to compel relevant authorities to take proper action against those involved, particularly Mr. Wasiu Ayinde Marshal. The rule of law must be supreme — not celebrity privilege or political connections,” Ademiluyi stated.
The lawyer further accused Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo of acting “in a manner unbecoming of his office,” alleging that he appeared to defend one of the airlines involved rather than enforce regulatory standards.
He also faulted the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) for imposing, without due process, a controversial life ban on Emmanson—a sanction later rescinded after public backlash.
“The AON acted as complainant, prosecutor, and judge in Emmanson’s case. That in itself was a travesty. Meanwhile, KWAM 1 is walking the streets free. That is a big slap on the rule of law,” Ademiluyi said.
The Incidents That Sparked Outrage
- August 5, 2025 (ValueJet Flight): KWAM 1 reportedly clashed with airline staff after refusing to surrender a flask suspected of containing alcohol, a banned substance onboard Nigerian flights. He insisted it contained doctor-prescribed medication. The altercation escalated, with the musician allegedly attempting to block the aircraft’s departure after being removed.
- August 10, 2025 (Ibom Air Flight): Passenger Comfort Emmanson was forcefully ejected from an Uyo-Lagos flight after a confrontation with crew members. In the process, her clothes were torn, leaving her partially exposed. She was arraigned by police the next day and remanded at Kirikiri Prison.
- August 13, 2025: A Lagos Magistrate Court struck out the five-count charge against Emmanson, ruling there was no basis for her continued detention. She was subsequently released.
Public Interest Action
Ademiluyi described his legal action as a public interest suit, arguing that the outcome could shape Nigeria’s justice system by affirming that “no individual, regardless of influence or status, is above the law.”
He urged the judiciary to use the matter as a precedent-setting opportunity:
“The collective interest of the polity is at stake. This is not about individual grievances — it is about whether Nigeria will allow selective justice to thrive in its aviation and legal sectors.”
The Federal High Court is yet to fix a date for hearing.
