Renowned human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, has given what he called the main reason behind the sudden pardon of Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson.
NATIONAL POST recalls that Emmanson was freed from Kirikiri prison on Wednesday following the withdrawal of the case against her by the Nigerian Government.
In a statement on Wednesday, Falana said the government withdrew the case against the female passenger because of its refusal to charge Fuji Star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, a.k.a KWAM 1, with appropriate criminal offences.
He alleged that the government has lost the moral right to prosecute any unruly passenger who commits an offence at any of the nation’s airports.
The Senior Advocate also frowned at the way the government is handling the case against KWAM 1, over his recent conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
He lamented that the government hastily accepted KWAM 1's apology and granted him pardon without allowing the police to conclude its investigation.
“Since citizens have equal rights, obligations, and opportunities before the law, the Federal Government will henceforth be accused of subjecting any unruly passenger to discriminatory treatment on the ground that KWAM 1 was ‘pardoned’ without any criminal trial whatsoever," he said.