Unruly Passenger in Ibom Air Incident Charged to Court, Released on Bail
Ms Chiamaka Don Ubani, the passenger at the centre of the recent Ibom Air saga, has been formally charged in court by the Nigeria Police.
Her actions aboard flight Q1528 have led to legal proceedings under the criminal code of Akwa Ibom State.
According to a statement by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Ms Ubani faces two counts for her disruptive behaviour on the flight.
The charges outlined include:
Count 1: Intentionally and maliciously preventing the door of the aircraft from closing, thereby obstructing flight Q1528 from taking off. This act constitutes an offence punishable under Section 436 of the Criminal Code, Cap 39, Volume 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State.
Count 2: Constituting a public nuisance by obstructing flight Q1528 from departing at the scheduled time. This act caused inconvenience to passengers already on board and disrupted public operations, violating Section 196(1)(f) of the Criminal Code.
Ms Ubani, who was arrested following the incident, was granted bail on Friday, 10th January 2025.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for 4th February 2025 at the Uyo Magistrate Court.
The NCAA has once again called on passengers to maintain decorum while at airport terminals and on aircraft, warning that unruly behaviour will not be tolerated.
Passengers are encouraged to direct complaints to the NCAA through the following emails:
The aviation authority reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety, security, and comfort of all passengers while upholding the rule of law.
