Human rights advocate Deji Adeyanju has stirred fresh controversy, stating clearly that under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, every citizen enjoys freedom of movement—including the right to board aircraft domestically or abroad—and that airlines have no legal mandate to impose flying bans.
Adeyanju’s remarks respond directly to the widely publicized case of Comfort Emmanson—who was placed on a permanent flight ban after a disruptive incident aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos. He asserts that such unilateral sanctions are unconstitutional and calls for individuals affected to “sue the airline and claim damages.”
Legal commentary supports Adeyanju’s position. Trade group Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON)—which reportedly imposed an indefinite ban—lacks the statutory authority to restrict Nigerians’ travel rights, experts argue. Only the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) holds such power, under the Civil Aviation Act, 2022.
A fact-check by Dubawa reinforced this view, emphasizing the AON’s role as a voluntary industry body—not a regulator—and confirming that only the NCAA, in coordination with the Ministry of Aviation, can legally ground citizens. Airline-imposed bans without court orders breach Section 41 (freedom of movement) and Section 36 (fair hearing) of the Constitution.
Following Emmanson’s case, public and civil rights groups have intensified pressure for clearer aviation protocols. With allegations of humiliating treatment and privacy violations, many argue that justice must balance safety and individual rights more judiciously.
Adeyanju’s call for compensation and legal recourse reframes the discussion: it’s not just about safety violations, but about restoring civil liberties and curbing administrative overreach. He insists the judiciary—not airlines—must arbitrate travel restrictions.
As discourse unfolds, one message rings clear: Nigerian citizens cannot be arbitrarily grounded. Any attempt to sideline their rights without due process must be met with legal challenge. Justice, after all, cannot be selective.
