The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed that a crucial eyewitness has stepped forward to give a verified, first-hand account of the highly publicized dispute between Ms. Comfort Emmanson, a female passenger, and a crew member of Ibom Air.
This development was disclosed by Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, in an official update posted on his verified X.com handle on Wednesday.
Achimugu explained that the witness’s account is particularly significant because he was seated directly beside Ms. Emmanson during the August 10 Ibom Air Uyo–Lagos flight, giving him an unobstructed view of the events leading up to the incident.
According to Achimugu, the witness contacted him personally, presented his boarding pass for authentication, and shared a detailed narrative of what transpired before the aircraft’s departure. The testimony, he noted, has introduced fresh dimensions to the case, including observations on the conduct of other individuals present and the manner in which passengers were attended to prior to take-off.
“The passenger seated right next to the lady in the viral videos has contacted me, also sent in his boarding pass, and given his account of the events that transpired on the aircraft before departure,” Achimugu wrote.
“Some aspects of his testimony offer an opportunity to consider other perspectives in this case—especially the behaviour of other actors involved and the way passenger handling was conducted before the flight took off.”
The NCAA spokesperson further revealed that the Authority has taken formal steps to escalate the matter by issuing a Letter of Investigation (LOI) to Ibom Air. As part of the next phase, the airline, the newly identified eyewitness, and any other passengers who can provide credible statements will be invited to a meeting with NCAA officials.
While the eyewitness is expected to release his personal statement later in the day, Achimugu said the Authority is already acting on the information received, ensuring that the investigation proceeds in a fair, impartial, and evidence-driven manner.
“Although he says he will release a statement later today, the Authority has issued an LOI to Ibom Air and will invite both the airline and eyewitnesses to a meeting. One is glad that a truly verifiable witness has come forward, and his statement reassures me that ignoring the numerous fake audios and unsubstantiated claims on social media was the right call,” he added.
Achimugu stressed that there is “a lot to unbundle” in the case, assuring the public that the NCAA is committed to uncovering the full truth. Every party found culpable, he said, will be held accountable in accordance with aviation regulations and consumer protection standards.
He further explained that all data and testimonies collected during the investigation will be analyzed to identify gaps in existing procedures and address them to prevent similar disputes in the future. He also reiterated that mediation remains an acceptable form of conflict resolution in the aviation sector, highlighting the importance of resolving issues without unnecessary escalation.
Commending the Minister of Aviation for his leadership and proactive engagement, Achimugu reaffirmed the NCAA’s role as a defender of passengers’ rights, promising that all aviation consumers would continue to enjoy robust protection under the law.
“There is much to unpack, but we will get to the bottom of it,” he concluded, signalling that the Authority’s findings would be made public once the investigation is complete.