The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has faulted the arraignment of Comfort Emmanson, the female passenger accused of being unruly during a flight operated by Ibom Air, describing her appearance before the court as an act of double standard by the Federal Government.
Obi said that the development has exposed the double standards in Nigeria’s justice system and the failure of security operatives to act in a civilised manner, saying, the provision of the law now applies to status and not the offence committed in the country.
The former governor noted that if the young lady could be dragged before court over her conduct and remanded over stringent bail conditions, the Fuji maestro, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly called KWAM1, who allegedly committed a criminal act at the Abuja airport, should have been arraigned as well.
Although he did not mention the artist’s name, but described the action of the musician, adding that KWAM1 should also be made to face the law as the Ibom air passenger who has been remanded.
In a statement released on Monday, Obi stressed that the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and other relevant authorities need to explain why KWAM1 has not been arraigned while Emmanson was hurriedly arraigned over her conduct against Ibom Air staff at the Lagos airport.
According to him, “The unfortunate and dishonourable drama witnessed in Ibom Air has again brought to the fore the double standards in our lives and the inadequacies of our various security operatives in acting decently and in a civilised manner.
“I want to start by sincerely apologising to the Ibom Air crew who were assaulted by Miss Comfort Emmanson. We must, as a society, learn and uphold good conduct, as it is a true measure of success and decent living.
“However, I must equally strongly condemn the dehumanising treatment meted out to this young woman. Stripping her publicly was not only unnecessary but also represents the height of rascality and abuse by our agencies.
“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. Comfort 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. This young lady’s offence does not compare to the crimes committed daily by those parading themselves as “excellencies” while looting public funds without consequence, and yet they have not been stripped or dehumanised in the name of justice.
“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”.
