Ibom Air Saga: In Defence of Juliana Edwards 

Ibom Air Saga: In Defence of Juliana Edwards 

By Otong Ekerude

It has become the fashion in our beloved country for otherwise sane men and women to be swept along by whatever tide happens to run strongest. Today the tide runs in favour of Ms. Comfort Emmanson. There is a great clamour to paint her as a wronged heroine, and in the process offer up as a scapegoat a woman who discharged her duty with commendable professionalism — Ms. Juliana Edwards, the assaulted air hostess.

The account from a self-proclaimed eyewitness is, I regret to observe, incomplete and riddled with gaps. According to this witness, another hostess (which she chose to label Hostess 1) first approached Ms. Emmanson and, with courtesy, requested that she switch off her mobile phone. That request was not complied with because Ms Emmanson claimed that she could not switch off her phone. Thereafter, Ms. Edwards — the senior cabin crew member — intervened. The tone was said to be firmer. That is hardly surprising. Hostess 1 reports to Ms. Edwards, the purser; she had informed Edwards (her superior) of a passenger’s refusal to obey a lawful and essential safety instruction.

Ibom Air Hostess Juliana Edwards

One must recall the timing and setting. The aircraft was at the threshold of take-off. The engines were advancing to full thrust, the cabin had to be secured, and the crew themselves were required to be seated for their own safety. Every second was precious. These are not moments for leisurely discussion or protracted courtesy; they are moments for prompt compliance. And is it not remarkable that an adult owner of a mobile phone should profess ignorance of how to switch it off? If Ms. Edwards called that claim “nonsense,” it was no more than the plain truth. Or like they say, the truth is always bitter.

The flight proceeded. Upon landing in Lagos, one might have thought the incident closed. But not so. Ms. Emmanson did not leave the aircraft in the ordinary course, again according to the witness whose seat was next to hers. She secreted herself in the lavatory until the cabin was clear, and then emerged — not to disembark, but to assault Ms. Edwards. She slapped her and pulled off her wig, the evidence of which is plain to see in the photograph below – Ms. Edwards’s low hair is visibly disheveled, unmade, and was obviously covered by a wig. Hostess 1 attempted to intervene and was herself struck.

What then did Ms. Edwards do? She reported the matter to the captain, who ordered security to remove the offender from the aircraft. Until their arrival, Ms. Edwards was under a duty to prevent the assailant from leaving the plane. In that period, she was struck again, yet she did not retaliate. She did not leave when she was supposed to and should not have been allowed to leave after assaulting crew members.

Yes, during her removal there was an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction that left her breasts exposed. It was a regrettable and deeply unfortunate incident — but it was the result of the actions of the security team, not Ms. Edwards. Equally troubling was the decision by whoever recorded and posted that video online; such conduct was an appalling breach of privacy. Ms. Edwards bears no responsibility for either. She cannot be held accountable for how trained enforcement officers execute their duties any more than a householder could be blamed if police, summoned to restrain a violent intruder, inadvertently injure him in the process.

Ms. Edwards acted lawfully, properly, professionally, and with restraint. She upheld her duties under the Civil Aviation Regulations; she refrained from returning blow for blow; she maintained order in the cabin until the proper authorities arrived.

To condemn her would be to send an unhappy message to all who serve in the front line of passenger safety — that in doing their duty, they risk not praise, but public pillory. That cannot be right. I stand with Juliana Edwards and I urge Ibom Air to reward her with a promotion.
#IStandWithJulianaEdwards #istandwithibomair