Peter Obi condemned the ‘double standard’ in the arrest of IBOM air passengers

The former presidential candidate of the Labor Party, Peter Obi, has criticized the handling of the new IBOM air incident, calling it a clear example of the “double standard” in the Nigerian justice system.

In a statement on Monday through its official X grip, Obi apologized to the Ibom air crew allegedly attacked by Emmanson’s comfort passengers, urged Nigerians to embrace good behavior as “the actual measure of success and a decent life.”

However, he strongly condemned what he described as a “inhuman treatment” distributed to Emmanson, who was reportedly disarmed in public before being rushed to the court and returned.

Obi compared his case with other passenger cases, according to him, “holding the aircraft so as not to take off and place hundreds of lives in risk” but has not faced an arrest or prosecution, with several government officials and even called for him to be forgiven.

“This case is not only about one young woman; this is about a double standard that poisoned our justice system. Justice in Nigeria should not be about who is poor or helpless versus who has influence or access to government officials,” Obi wrote.

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“While Ms. Comfort Emmanson is in prison, other perpetrators who commit more severe violations have not been detained with the same standard. He was not arrested or charged in any court.”

He further argues that the treatment of Emmanson reflects a broader culture where people who are less special are punished quickly, while violators who are politically connected to accountability.

“We must build a country where justice is fair, equal, and not selective, especially against women who look weaker. This young woman’s violation is not compared to the crime committed every day by those who parade as ‘excellence’ while looting public funds without consequences, but they have not been disarmed or planted in the name of justice,” he added.

Obi concluded by urged the Minister of Aviation and other authority to explain the inconsistency felt in handling these cases.

“Justice must be fair, or that is nothing at all. Rule of law based on justice for all must remain a guide for our democracy,” he said.