‘She was stripped n*ked and thrown into Kirikiri Prison’ – Ezekwesili reacts to two ‘disturbing’ incidents in Nigeria’s aviation sector

‘She was stripped n*ked and thrown into Kirikiri Prison’ – Ezekwesili reacts to two ‘disturbing’ incidents in Nigeria’s aviation sector

Former Minister of Education , Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, has reacted to the two “disturbing” incidents in Nigeria’s aviation sector which occurred recently.

The incidents involved, Fuji crooner, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, AKA, KWAM 1 and ValueJet Airline; and Ms. Comfort Emmanson and Ibom Airline.

She said, both occurrences “are a mirror- reflecting the tragic state of Nigeria and the lived reality of Nigerians”, adding, “One is deemed “powerful””, while, “the other is labeled a “nobody””.

Ezekwesili said, “the politically connected man flagrantly violated aviation rules and handed a soft slap-on-the-wrist flight ban”, while, “the young woman was met with brutal force, stripped naked and thrown into Kirikiri Prison”.

The former Minister said, “the political class has corrupted the nation’s moral compass”, and asked, “When will “Enough” truly be enough?”

In her reaction on X, Ezekwesili wrote: “Dear Fellow Citizens,

“The two disturbing incidents in our aviation sector are not isolated anomalies.They are a mirror- reflecting the tragic state of Nigeria and the lived reality of Nigerians.

“Two citizens. Same Constitution. Same aviation sector. Yet, two vastly different outcomes.

“One is deemed “powerful”- not by merit, but by the warped standards of a society in decline. The other is labeled a “nobody”- not because she lacks dignity or rights, but because she lacks political connections.

“That alone explains the staggering disparity in how both were treated by public officials and institutions of the Nigerian State.

“The politically connected man flagrantly violated aviation rules, obstructing a taxiing aircraft- an act captured on video.He was cajoled, indulged, and handed a soft slap-on-the-wrist flight ban.

“The young woman, whose behavior also raised concerns, was met with brutal force: Stripped naked. Dragged off the plane. Arrested. Charged. Remanded. And before anyone could say “Jack Robinson,” she was thrown into Kirikiri Prison.

“This brazen double standard in law enforcement is not just unjust- it is a direct assault on the Rule of Law.It is yet another example of the contemptuous normalization of impunity by Nigeria’s Ndi Nkilika political class.

“What happened to this young woman is not an isolated injustice. It is a symptom of a system that shields and rewards the powerful for misconduct, while ruthlessly punishing ordinary citizens.

“She has now become a symbol- an emblem of the millions of Nigerians who suffer daily indignities, many of whom have been so broken by the system that they now defend their oppressors and attack those who speak out.

“Perhaps this aviation episode was divinely orchestrated- to force us to confront the tragic truth of our national condition.

“Shall we continue pretending we don’t live in a country where the powerful walk free regardless of their crimes- especially grand corruption- while the powerless rot in jail for petty infractions?

“Our political class has corrupted the nation’s moral compass, perverted its systems of reward and punishment, and destroyed the values that underpin strong institutions.

“No society has ever achieved lasting prosperity without institutions rooted in a shared values system.

“So we must ask: When will “Enough” truly be enough?

“It continues with a collective insistence that the Federal Government, as aviation regulators, apply the same standards- without favoritism- to both the powerful and the powerless. No preferential treatment. No double standards.

“The answer lies in our hands, dear 99% of Nigerians.

“I know that a Day shall come when Nigerians finally collectively rise in one accord to confront the 1%.

“Hope maketh not ashamed.”

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