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Tag: Kirikiri

  • Unruly passenger remanded in Kirikiri

    Unruly passenger remanded in Kirikiri

    • Airline Operators of Nigeria bans Ms. Emmanson ‘for life’
    • Virtually-impaired persons’ protest locks down Lagos airport

    An unruly Ibom Air passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre yesterday after she was arraigned for alleged assault.

    Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), said the passenger was arraigned at the Ikeja Magistrates Court for criminal offences and remanded because she could not provide adequate sureties.

    The minister condemned the release of her video showing indecent exposure of her body parts.

    He directed that whoever released that part of the video amongst the staff should be singled out and sanctioned.

    He also directed airlines to train and retrain their staff on how to deal with potentially explosive situations to diffuse them.

    The minister called a joint aviation security meeting for next week for better coordination of security measures.

    It is the second time in one week that untoward behavior by passengers will be recorded at the airports.

    While Ms. Emmanson issue occurred at the Lagos Airport, Fuji Musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal was involved in another incident last week at the Abuja airport.

    In Ms. Emmanson’s case a viral video of the incident showing officials of the airline struggling to bundle her out of the aircraft while indecently exposing parts of her body.

    Keyamo, in a statement posted on X handle, said the incident occurred on Sunday on Ibom Airline Flight No. Q153 from Uyo to Lagos at about 14:54 hours.

    “Whilst we support the filming of her recalcitrant behaviour as evidence to prosecute her, what is deplorable is to release such evidence containing indecent exposure to the public to ridicule her.

    “That is totally unacceptable to us. We will not fold our arms and tolerate the debasing of womanhood.

    “I have therefore directed that whoever released that part of the video containing the indecent exposure amongst the staff should be singled out and adequately sanctioned,” Keyamo said.

    He urged genuinely aggrieved passengers to use laid-down remedies to address grievances, such as the Consumer Protection Directorate of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    Ibom Air recounts incident

    Ibom Air said shortly before take-off from Uyo, Ms. Emmanson was instructed to switch off her mobile phone in line with standard aviation safety procedures.

    It added: “She bluntly refused to comply until the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement, after which a fellow passenger seated beside her took the phone and switched it off.

    “This action prompted a verbal tirade from Ms. Emmanson. The situation was eventually calmed, and the flight departed as scheduled.

    “Upon arrival in Lagos, Ms. Emmanson waited for all other passengers to disembark and then proceeded to confront the Purser, who had earlier instructed her.

    “She walked up to the unsuspecting Purser, stepped on her, forcibly tore off her wig, removed her glasses and threw them to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her.

    “She slapped her several times, and when the other cabin crew member tried to intervene, she slapped her too.

    “She then attempted to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as weapon, an act that could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.

    “By this time, the Pilot-in-Command had alerted airport security. Before security could arrive, the Purser, as seen in the viral video on the internet, prevented the passenger from leaving the aircraft until security arrived.

    “The arrival of Ibom Air Security personnel did not deter the passenger, as she attacked them as well, lashing out violently at both Ibom Air and FAAN security.

    “She was then restrained and removed from the aircraft by force. Even after disembarking, she continued to assault both Ibom Air and FAAN security staff, and even slapped the ground supervisor.”

    FAAN warns passengers

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) warned against rising disruptive behaviour at airports, vowing strict penalties under aviation laws.

    FAAN urged travellers to know their rights, responsibilities, and bylaws to avoid sanctions.

    Citing the Ibom Air incident, it said offenders will be restrained, prosecuted, and punished per ICAO and national regulations.

    Read Also: Nathaniel Bassey plans ‘Kirikiri edition’ of Hallelujah Challenge

    The agency pledged improved security to safeguard the safety, security, and comfort of airport users.

    AON bans passenger for life

    The domestic carriers union, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), placed a ‘no-fly ban’ for life on Ms. Emmanson.

    AON’s spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, said: “The attempted use of a fire extinguisher as a weapon constitutes one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed this year.

    “This was not just disruptive; it was a sustained, violent attack that placed the lives of crew, passengers, and the integrity of the aircraft itself at risk. This behaviour is unacceptable.

    “Therefore, effective immediately, the AON has placed Ms. Emmanson on its ‘No Fly’ list indefinitely.

    “She is hereby banned from flying with any AON member either domestically or internationally for life.

    “Such incidents have become one too many, with the most recent being the incident involving Nigerian musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) on ValueJet and the unruly behaviour of Senator Adams Oshiomhole towards the members of staff of Air Peace.

    “It is also worth mentioning that this incident exposes the vulnerabilities in the security response by the Aviation Security (AVSEC).

    “The AON urgently calls on FAAN to immediately review and tighten security procedures at all airports across the country.

    “The AON stands united with Ibom Air and all our members in maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards unruly airline passengers.

    “Going forward, anyone who exhibits such behaviour will suffer similar consequences. While we recognise the rights of passengers to express their grievances, such actions must follow due process.

    “We are committed to protecting our employees, passengers, equipment and maintaining the highest safety standards “

    Also, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), in a statement by its Secretary General, AbdulRasaq Saidu, urged the NCAA to review its existing protocols on violent passenger behaviour.

    It called for the reinvigoration of enforcement methods at the aerodromes, “especially with regard to protection of aviation workers from criminal harm makers in the form of unwanted unruly passengers.”

    Obi deplores double standards

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi said while the passenger’s behaviour was inexcusable, the law should apply equally to all.

    In a statement posted on his official X handle, he said: “It is unacceptable that she was hurriedly taken to court and remanded, while someone who visibly held a plane from taking off and put hundreds of lives at risk is still at large, with government agencies and some state officials speaking up for him to be forgiven.

    “This case is not just about one young woman; it is about the double standards that poison our justice system.

    “Justice in Nigeria must never be about who is poor or powerless versus who has influence or access to government officials.

    “While Ms. Emmanson is in jail, the other offender who committed a more severe offence has not been held to the same standard. He has neither been arrested nor arraigned in any court.

    “We must build a country where justice is fair, equal, and not selective, especially against women who are seen to be weaker.”

    He also condemned what he described as the “dehumanising” treatment meted out to her.

    “Stripping her publicly was not only unnecessary but also represents the height of rascality and abuse by our agencies,” the former governor stated.

    “We must end this selective treatment of the poor or less privileged. If justice must be served, it should be served to all, and it must be served fairly.”

    “The Minister of Aviation and other relevant authorities owe the public an explanation for these double standards in their adjudication.

    “Justice must be just, or it is nothing at all. The rule of law based on justice for all must remain the guidepost of our democracy.”

  • JUST IN: Passenger who assaulted Ibom Air crew member remanded in Kirikiri

    JUST IN: Passenger who assaulted Ibom Air crew member remanded in Kirikiri

    Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of assaulting airline officials aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, has been charged to court and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.

    Tunde Moshood, special adviser on media and communications to the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, confirmed the development in a post on his official X handle on Monday.

    “The more reason the flying public should be more careful, the unruly passenger on the Uyo–Lagos bound Ibom Air, Miss Comfort Emmanson, has been charged to court and she’s now cooling off in Kirikiri,” Moshood wrote.

    Read Also: Ibom Air hands over unruly passenger to police, bans her from its flights

    The incident comes amid fresh warnings from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, which has vowed stricter enforcement actions against disruptive passenger behaviour, a trend it says is on the rise in Nigerian airports.

    Details shortly…

  • Court remands father for allegedly defiling 17-year-old daughter

    An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded a 38-year-old electrician, Chukwueke Ashiedu in Kirikiri prison for allegedly defiling his 17-year-old daughter (names withheld) over the last four years.

    The court ruled that Ashiedu would remain in prison pending advice of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Ashiedu is facing a lone count charge of child defilement before Chief Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat.

    Prosecuting Inspector Benson Emuerhi, told the court that Ashiedu resident at Haruna area of Ikorodu committed the offence on November, 20, 2015 at his residence.

    Emuerhi alleged that the defendant had carnal knowledge of his 17 year-old daughter.

    He said the survivor informed her teacher, one Mrs. Caroline of her ordeal in the hands of her father and that the assault started four years ago.

    Emuerhi said the matter was later reported at the Gender Section of Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, by the survivor and her teacher.

    Chief Magistrate Sule-Amzat did not take the defendant’s plea after the charge was read.

    She ordered that he should be kept in Kirikiri Prisons.

    She also ordered the Police to send the duplicate of the file to the DPP for advice.

    She adjourned the case till April 25.

  • ‘How Kirikiri helped us to become furniture makers’

    Two ex-inmates of Kirikiri Prison, Lagos, James Etuk and Olawale Dada, have said the carpentry skills they acquired during their incarceration resulted in their becoming joint owners of a furniture company.

    The duo, who spoke yesterday about vocational skill acquisition for youths, said prisons across the country should be rehabilitated to meet contemporary demands.

    The joint owners of Alpha Furniture Works Ltd. told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that their combined seven years sojourn at Kirikiri Prison were not wasted.

    Etuk, who was imprisoned for petty stealing and shoplifting in 1987 and spent four years at Kirikiri Prison, said the facility at that time was far better than now.

    Read also: ‘Lagos-Ibadan expressway important to govt’

    He lamented the recurrence of jailbreaks, blaming the facilities’ administrators for their nonchalance and inhumane disposition.

    “Then, while in prison, our mindset was daily focused on what we could engage ourselves in after leaving the yard that would enable us re-integrate well into the society.

    “Because of the good handling of the place by the administrators, the thought of jailbreak was not in any inmate’s mind.

    “I improved on the carpentry skills I acquired there, by observation and reading through furniture work albums to meet up with the current trend,” Etuk said.

    The furniture merchant, who has two apprentices alongside his co-owner, said the business is challenging but rewarding.

    Dada, the co-owner, said: “I spent three years in prison. I was in the same cell with Etuk and we were pardoned at the same time.

    “So we began to practise what we were taught in prison at construction sites at Festac Town.”

  • Court remands three in Kirikiri for assault on Eko DisCo worker

    A Magistrate court in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State, has ordered that three suspects be remanded to Kirikiri Prison until they perfected their bail for assaulting and harassing an Eko Electricity Distribution Company’s Linesman under the Mushin Business District of the company.

    A statement by Eko Electricity Distribution Company said the accused, Karimoh Aliu, Halimat Idowu and Bode Olajokun, who were arraigned last August 16, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of unlawful conspiracy to commit conduct likely to cause breach of peace, felony and  inflict injury.

    According to the statement, the defendants assaulted Olayinka Morenikeji while collecting revenue for the company on July 26 and 27.

    EKEDC’s Corporate Communications General Manager, Godwin Idemudia, said the accused had in the past assaulted its staff member and restricted him.

    Idemudia explained that the management of the Mushin District reported the case at Area D Police Station and provided the police officers with the support who arrested the suspect. The court presided over by the Magistrate Mrs. Tanimola ordered the accused to be remanded in Kirikiri pending the perfection of a bail  of N50,000 and provision of a surety from each defendant.

    The EKDC’s spokesperson stated that he hoped this served as a deterrent for those who engage in what he described as barbaric acts.

    Idemudia expressed his aversion towards the unlawful act and explained that there are more diplomatic and efficient methods of settling grievances including filing complaints at EKEDC Business Districts and Contacting the Customer Complaints units on 07080655555.

    Meanwhile, Idemudia said the company is implementing initiatives to reduce the number of vandalism cases within their network. He urged customers to assist the company in its fight against vandalism and other unlawful activities by using its whistle-blowing platforms to reveal or report any illegal and unethical activities.

    He further stated that the whistle-blowing platforms are safe, confidential and secure ways of alerting the company of illicit activities and can also be used to report unscrupulous elements of the company that partake in illegal activities, such as fraud and extortion of customers.

    He urged them to pay their bills on time to avoid interruption of their power supply during the festive period.

  • Four remanded in Kirikiri for impregnating girl, 15

    Four men, who allegedly defiled and impregnated a 15-year-old girl, were yesterday remanded at Kirikiri Prisons by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    Henry Edmond, 47, metal fabricator; Richard Effiong, 22, businessman; Simeon Michael, 30, self-employed and Ashumu Muhammed, 33, security guard, were ordered to be kept in prison custody, pending advice by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi said: “Based on the sensitivity of the case, it is difficult to grant bail. Bail will be at the discretion of the court. The case file should be documented and sent to the office of the DPP for advice.”

    The accused committed the offences between December 2016 and May 2018 at different parts of Ajah and Lekki, Lagos, the prosecutor, Ezekiel Ayorinde, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP) told the court.

    He said the accused unlawfully assaulted the girl by penetrating her private parts on separate occasions.

    “The accused have been having sexual intercourse with the girl which resulted in pregnancy,” Ayorinde said.

    Ayorinde said when the girl’s aunty discovered that she was pregnant, she questioned her.

    He said: “The girl, who is five months pregnant, mentioned all the men that have been sleeping with her since her aunty brought her to Lagos in 2016 to be helping her take care of her children.

    “Her aunty’s husband, Henry Edmond, was the first to start having sex with her and he always threatened to kill her if she tells the aunty. The other accused sleep with her in their houses and shops in the process of hawking `puff puff’ for her aunty.

    “The case was reported and the accused were arrested,” the prosecutor said.

    The offence contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).”

    The case continues on July 23.

  • Man to spend 13 months in Kirikiri for burglary

    A 23-year-old man, Tolani Faseyi, has been sentenced to 13 months imprisonment without a fine option for burglary.

    Chief Magistrate A.A. Adetunji handed down the verdict after Faseyi pleaded guilty of the offence.

    He pleaded guilty to the charges.

    Prosecuting Inspector Matthew Akhaluode said the convict broke into a house with intent to steal and damage a window valued at N3,000.

    The convict, he said, committed the offence on May 23 at 7, Lawal Street, Igesun in Ayobo Ipaja, Lagos.

    The convict, who was first arraigned in court on June 4, conspired with another person now at large to unlawfully gain entry into the room of the complainant, Mrs Elizabeth Lawal, with intent to steal.

    Akhaluode said in the process of entering the room, the complainant’s window valued at N3, 000 was damaged.

    He said the convict held the complainant on the neck during the incident.

    The victim, he said, raised an alarm which attracted neighbours who assisted in apprehending the burglar. The accomplice, he said, escaped through the window.

  • Court remands lawyer in Kirikiri for husband’s death

    A Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday remanded a lawyer, Mrs Udeme Odibi, 47, in Kirikiri prison for allegedly killing her husband, Sym Otike Odibi, 56.

    Odibi was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Bukola Kikelomo Ayeye on a one count charge of murder.

    The prosecutor, Mr. Effiong Asuquo, a Chief Superintendent of Police, (CSP) said she ripped out her husband’s intestine and cut off his genitals with a knife at their Diamond Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos residence.

    He urged the court to remand her in prison, pending the advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    Defence counsel Oluseye Bamijoko urged the court to stop the burial of the deceased holding today.

    He said the burial could wait until result of the psychiatric evaluation carried out on his client is released.

    He prayed the court to remand the defendant at Ikoyi prisons.

    Chief Magistrate Ayeye ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kirikiri, pending the DPP’s advice.

    She declined her request to be remanded in Ikoyi prisons, saying it has no facility for women.

    The Chief Magistrate also declined to stop today’s burial of the deceased, saying burial is the right of the dead.

    She adjourned the matter till June 25.

  • Her Majesty’s Royal Prisons, Kirikiri

    JUDGING from the tame response of Francis Enobore, spokesman of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), to the news that the United Kingdom government would be adding a $973,000, 112-bed wing to the Kirikiri Maximum Prison in Lagos, it is probably a welcome relief to beleaguered officials struggling to cope with extreme poor funding and overcrowding.

    According to Mr Enobore: “No such building can be built without a synergy between the UK and the Nigerian government; the UK cannot do that. There is no way the UK can just jump into Kirikiri and start to build anything. Officially, we are not aware of such move. No formal document has reached the service. As far as I know, I have not seen any document showing a formal move by the United Kingdom to build a prison wing in Kirikiri. I read about the plan. It is a proposal still being considered in the UK. There is no place where it is mentioned that any formal invitation was given to the Nigerian government…”

    The idea itself is not new, having been whispered many years ago. It was at the time suggested that the new wing would serve the dual purpose of decongesting British detention facilities and also transporting convicted Nigerian offenders back to their own country through guided and lawful deportation. It is strange that it has still not gone beyond a statement of intent. Facilities in Nigerian prisons have undoubtedly become an eyesore, and officials have grown tired of complaining about low funding, overcrowding, and old and dilapidated buildings susceptible to jailbreaks. Thus to have a modern, United Nations-standard prison wing would be an eye-opener.

    But apart from the absence of national pride in welcoming a prison wing to be constructed by a foreign government on Nigerian soil, it is shameful that Nigeria has for many decades not paid attention to the structures as well as the aims and objectives of the prison system. That gross dereliction has consistently undermined the objective of reforming offenders. Indeed, in many cases, prisoners come out of jail in Nigeria hardened.

    By all means, let the UK government build a new wing at Kirikiri. Perhaps, it will serve to inspire the Nigerian government into embracing the responsibilities they have shirked for decades.

  • UK to build prison wing in Kirikiri

    Britain will build a new wing at the Kirikiri Prison in Lagos so that it can transfer Nigerian prisoners there, the UK Government has announced.

    According to Reuters, the new 112-bed wing, which would cost 700,000 British pounds ($973,000) and be compliant with United Nations standards.

    In a statement to parliament, British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, said tenders had been placed and a supplier identified to conduct the building work at Kirikiri. He did not name the supplier.

    The project will be funded from Britain’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, which has an annual budget of more than one billion British pounds and aims to commission projects that can help prevent conflicts and stabilise countries or regions.