Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the public humiliation and stripping of Miss Comfort Emmanson, a passenger involved in a security incident aboard an Ibom Air flight.
Obi described the incident as “the height of rascality and abuse” by Nigerian security forces.
In a statement issued on Monday, Obi expressed concern over what he called “a disgraceful and dishonourable drama” that once again exposes the inconsistencies and failings of Nigeria’s security operatives.
Obi began by apologising to the Ibom Air crew allegedly assaulted by Miss Emmanson. “As a society, we must uphold standards of good behaviour. I sincerely apologise to the crew affected. Decency is a key indicator of a functional society,” he said.
However, Obi was unequivocal in condemning the excessive response by authorities. “Stripping this young woman publicly was unjustifiable and deeply dehumanising. It’s an abuse of power and a disgraceful display by those charged with enforcing our laws,” he stated.
Highlighting a stark contrast in how justice is administered, Obi criticised the fact that Miss Emmanson was swiftly arrested, arraigned, and remanded, while another high-profile offender who disrupted a flight and endangered lives remains free—and is even being defended by government officials.
“This isn’t just about Comfort Emmanson. It’s about the dangerous double standards that continue to plague our justice system,” he said. “In Nigeria, it appears that justice is often served based on status and influence rather than fairness and truth.”
Obi stressed that selective justice, especially against vulnerable groups like women, erodes the credibility of the system. “While this young woman is in jail, those looting public funds under the cover of political power roam free and untouched. No one strips them in the name of justice.”
He called on the Minister of Aviation and other authorities to explain the apparent bias and called for an end to what he described as the systemic mistreatment of the poor and powerless.
“If justice is to mean anything, it must be blind to status, gender, or connections. Anything less is injustice,” Obi concluded.
