Comfort Emmanson : FG, NCAA sued as lawyer pushes for N500bn damages

A public interest lawyer, Ayodele Ademiluyi, has taken the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and several others to court, seeking N500 billion in damages over what he calls a flagrant disregard for the rule of law in two high-profile aviation incidents involving music star King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1) and air passenger  Comfort Emmanson.

The case, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos with suit number FHC/L/CS/1632/25, names a wide range of respondents including the President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN), the NCAA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Ibom Air, ValueJet, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Governor and Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State, King Wasiu himself, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria.

Speaking at a press briefing, Ademiluyi — who also serves as convener of the Movement for Justice and secretary of the Radical Gender Movement said his action was aimed at ensuring accountability and safeguarding the public interest.

According to him, the case is not about individuals but about systemic failure within the aviation sector.

“Our aviation system needs a complete overhauling. We cannot allow impunity to reign or degenerate into a banana republic where someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and walk away without consequence,” he said.

Ademiluyi alleged that authorities applied double standards in handling the incidents, accusing them of shielding Kwam 1 from prosecution while swiftly sanctioning Emmanson.

“It’s a gross imbalance. There was no arrest, no arraignment, no prosecution of Mr. Kwam 1. In fact, he was rewarded with a brand ambassadorship for the aviation sector. What message does that send to the public?” he asked.

He also faulted the decision to appoint Kwam 1 as an aviation brand ambassador, calling it a move that undermines the industry’s integrity.

“If someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and be appointed a brand ambassador, it sends the wrong signal,” Ademiluyi added.

The lawyer further criticized Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, accusing him of siding with one of the airlines instead of enforcing the law. He is asking the court for an order of mandamus compelling relevant authorities to act against those involved.

“This is not about celebrity status or political connections — it’s about the sanctity of the rule of law,” he said.

Ademiluyi also questioned the role of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, which had initially imposed a life ban on Emmanson before later lifting it, accusing the body of acting as “complainant, prosecutor and judge.”

“The central issue remains: Mr. Kwam 1 is walking the streets free. That is a big slap on the rule of law,” he stressed. “The suit we have filed is a public interest action. The collective interest of the polity is at stake.”

He urged the judiciary to use the case to affirm that no one, no matter how powerful or influential, is above the law.