Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has revealed the reason the Federal Government pardoned the Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, saying the government has lost the moral right to prosecute unruly passengers.
Falana, who made this revelation in a statement on Wednesday, said the Federal Government withdrew the case against the female passenger because of its refusal to charge Fuji Musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, with appropriate criminal offences.
He alleged that the Government has lost the moral right to prosecute any unruly passenger who commits an offence at any of the Airports because of that.
The inspector-General of Police’s office had an investigation into allegations that the musician poured contents of a flask on a pilot, a security officer, and some passengers at the airport.
However, before the probe could be concluded and charges filed, the Federal Government accepted KWAM 1 ‘s apology and announced plans to appoint him as Ambassador for airport security protocol.
Falana criticized the move, warning that it is setting dangerous precedent, for undermining its moral authority to prosecute unruly passengers following its decision to pardoned Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1 over alleged misconduct at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
“By this action, the Federal Government has lost its moral right to arrest, prosecute any passenger who commits an offence at any of the nation’s airports”, he said.
He cited the recent withdrawal of charges against Ms Comfort Emmanson – accused of unruly behaviour on an Ibom Air flight – as evidence that government’s selective handling of such cases risks accusation of discrimination.
“Since citizens have equal rights, obligations, and opportunities before the law, the government will henceforth be accused of discriminating treatment whenever it prosecutes other passengers for similar conduct”, Falana added.
The Senior Advocate stressed that pardoning KWAM 1 without trial contradicts the principle of equal application of the law and erodes public confidence in the justice system.
-9News Nigeria.
