
Ms Ubani was released on bail on Friday, 10 January 2025, and her case is scheduled for hearing on 4 February 2025 at the Uyo Magistrate Court.
A female passenger, Ms Chiamaka Don Ubani, who reportedly disrupted an Ibom Air flight on 8 January 2025, has been charged to court for her actions that led to the flight’s cancellation.
The incident, which affected 89 other passengers, caused significant operational and financial disruptions for the airline.
The Nigerian police have charged Ms Ubani on two counts. The first count states: “Intentionally and maliciously preventing the door of the aircraft from closing and causing obstruction of flight Q1528 from flying, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 436 of the criminal code, cap 39, volume. 2, laws of Akwa Ibom State.”
The second count alleges: “She constituted herself into a public nuisance by obstructing flight Q1528 from flying at the scheduled time, an act which caused inconvenience or damage to passengers already boarded and the general public and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 196(1)(f) of the criminal code.”
Ms Ubani was released on bail on Friday, 10 January 2025, and her case is scheduled for hearing on 4 February 2025 at the Uyo Magistrate Court.
Dr Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed the incident, noting the disruption was caused by Ms Ubani’s insistence that her overweight luggage be loaded onto the flight.
“She angrily stepped down from the aircraft and insisted that her bags be loaded. Otherwise, nobody was going to fly,” he stated.
Attempts by Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the pilot to de-escalate the situation failed, leading to the flight’s cancellation when Uyo’s airspace closed for the day.
Achimugu emphasised, “The regulations state firmly that no provocation justifies violence at the airport. Certain acts, especially holding up the movement of an aircraft through means of violence, could be interpreted as terrorism depending on the severity (to be determined by the police).”
He further highlighted the financial losses incurred by the airline. “The airline had to provide immediate refreshment, transportation, and accommodation for passengers at great and avoidable cost.”
“This means that the airline would have catered twice for the same flight,” Achimugu added.
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