KWAM 1 vs Comfort Emmanson: Nigerian Lawyer Slams N500bn Suit on FG, NCAA, Ibom Air, Others
- The federal government of Nigeria, led by President Bola Tinubu, was dragged to court and slammed a N500 billion suit
- A public interest lawyer, Ayodele Ademiluyi, sued the federal government, aviation minister Festus Keyamo and the NCAA over the handling of KWAM 1 and Ms. Comfort Emmanson's airport incidents
- Ademiluyi, from the suit filed against the FG, demanded accountability and an overhaul of the aviation sector
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
A public interest lawyer, Ayodele Ademiluyi, has filed a N500 billion lawsuit against the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and others over what he described as a breach of the rule of law in addressing two cases of aviation infractions involving Fuji musician, Ayinde Wasiu aka KWAM 1, and Ms. Comfort Emmanson.
Source: UGC
The suit, Ayodele Ademiluyi v. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria & Ors (FHC/L/CS/1632/25), seeks N500 billion in damages against the respondents, jointly and severally, including the minister of aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN; Ibom Air; KWAM 1, ValueJet; and the Nigerian Correctional Service, which allegedly broke up Mr. Ademiluyi’s interview with Comfort Emmanson.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, August 14, Ademiluyi, who is also the convener of the Movement for Justice and secretary of the Radical Gender Movement in the Nigerian Bar Association, criticised the way the two cases were handled.
He highlighted the disparity between how KWAM 1 was treated compared to how KWAM 1 was treated compared to Comfort Emmanson.
Source: UGC
Ademiluyi also criticised the appointment of King Wasiu as a brand ambassador for the aviation industry, saying it sends the wrong signal.
“If someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and be appointed a brand ambassador, what message does it send to others?” he asked.
Ibom Air vs KWAM 1: Lawyer makes demands
As reported by Arise News TV, the suit lists as respondents President Bola Tinubu, the attorney general of the federation, the minister of Aviation Festus Keymao, and King Wasiu Ayinde, and seeks an order of mandamus to compel the authorities to take action against King Wasiu and others allegedly involved.
Speaking further, the lawyer stressed that the case is not just about King Wasiu but about the broader issue of impunity and lack of accountability in the aviation sector.
“Our perspective is that there is a gross imbalance in the treatment of Comfort Emmanson and King Wasiu, popularly called Kwam 1.
"There was no arrest of Mr. Kwam 1, there was no arraignment of Mr. Kwam 1, there was no prosecution of Mr. Kwam 1. In fact, you are giving a brand ambassadorship of the aviation ideology.”
“Our aviation system needs a complete overhauling,” he said. “We cannot allow impunity to reign, and we cannot degenerate into a banana republic where someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and go scot-free.”
He stressed that the case is not just about King Wasiu but about the broader issue of impunity and lack of accountability in the aviation sector.
“The issues now go beyond the two national actors, or let’s say the two national recipients in this entire episode,” he said. “The collective interest of the polity is at stake.”
What's at stake?
Buttressing his point, Ademiluyi further stated:
“What I have done, which is to answer your question, is to join issues with both the state and non-state actors in this entire very horrible miasma and drama that we are passing through.
“I have since filed a 500 billion naira suit in public interest against, number one, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is, more or less, the Chief Executive Officer of the country, and who has refused, failed, and abandoned any attempts to arrest and prosecute Kwam 1.
“That is exactly the central point we are making, and we are going to be making through that court proceeding. Number three in that suit is the Federal Minister of Aviation.
“And, of course, the national person that is occupying that office, Mr. Festus Keyamo, his conduct, to say the least, has been so unbecoming of any person occupying that office. He has become, more or less, the spokesperson of Ibom Air. There was a time all the charges were put on him, on his ex-handler.
“We are asking for an order of mandamus. We also joined the Nigerian Police Force, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, who are persons who should have acted properly and wisely.”
“The fact is that the suit we have filed is a public interest action. The issues have now gone beyond the two national actors, or let’s say the two episodes of Kwam 1 as a person and Comfort Emmanson as a person. The collective interest of the polity is at stake.”
Airlines considering naming Emmanson ambassador
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Festus Keyamo revealed that Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour, may be appointed as an ambassador for good passenger conduct by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
Keyamo disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, August 13, explaining that the decision aligns with the global practice of engaging repentant offenders to educate others against similar misconduct.
Keyamo shared that the aviation sector is considering appointing Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocols.
Read related articles here:
- Comfort Emmanson: Outrage as Ibom Air passenger offered free trip, N500k job in major oil-rich state
Ibom Air vs passenger: Reno Omokri tackles Peter Obi
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, cautioned Nigerians against allowing the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, to set the country on fire.
Omokri, in a post shared on his X page on Tuesday, August 12, asserted that Peter Obi, in his desperation to be Nigeria’s president, would say anything, including twisting facts over the Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson's saga.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
