Police Files Charges Against Ibom Air Passenger for Causing Flight Disruption
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has filed a two-count charge against Chiamaka Ubani, an Ibom Air passenger, following her disruptive behavior that led to a flight cancellation. The incident occurred on January 8, when Ubani refused to board a flight from Uyo, Akwa Ibom to Abuja, unless her checked-in luggage was returned.
Michael Achimugu, Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), explained in a post on X that Ubani’s luggage, along with that of other passengers, had been offloaded due to weight restrictions. Ubani’s refusal to board without her luggage reportedly led her to hold up the aircraft, causing the flight to be canceled after the airspace was closed.
Achimugu criticized Ubani’s actions, stating that 89 other passengers were affected, losing valuable time and money due to the disruption. Following the incident, the police charged Ubani with two offenses.
In the first charge, Ubani is accused of intentionally obstructing the aircraft door and preventing flight Q1528 from departing, violating Section 436 of the Criminal Code. In the second, she is charged with public nuisance for delaying the flight and causing inconvenience to fellow passengers, as outlined in Section 196(1)(f) of the Criminal Code.
Ubani was granted bail on January 10, 2025, and the case is set to be heard before a magistrate court in Uyo on February 4.
