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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‎August 12, 2025

‎CEHRAWS CONDEMNS UNLAWFUL REMAND OF MS. COMFORT: CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AND INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

‎The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) join all well-meaning Nigeria to condemn the alleged unruly behaviour of Ms. Comfort while onboard Ibom Air. We as well express deep outrage over the unlawful and procedurally defective remand of Ms. Comfort at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre on August 11, 2025, following the said unruly act of hers which led to an altercation with Ibom Air cabin crew.

‎A cursory review of the remand warrant issued by the Magistrate reveals glaring and fatal irregularities, most notably, the impossible dating sequence that purports to remand Ms. Comfort on October 11, 2025 for an arraignment fixed for October 6, 2025. This chronological absurdity is not a “mere clerical error” as some may attempt to trivialize it; it is a material defect that strikes at the very root of the warrant’s validity.

‎Sections 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantee the right to dignity and personal liberty, while Section 2 of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019 imposes a statutory duty on the Nigerian Correctional Service to verify the legality of court warrants before accepting custody. By admitting Ms. Comfort on the strength of a facially invalid order, the Service not only failed in its statutory obligation but also aided and abetted unlawful detention. An act tantamount to false imprisonment.

‎The speed with which this defective remand order was executed, within twelve (12) hours of the incident, raises serious suspicions of collusion between law enforcement, judicial officers, and private corporate interests. CEHRAWS recalls precedents where the Correctional Service, even in grave criminal allegations, rightly rejected defective warrants until due process was observed. There is no lawful justification for deviating from this standard in Ms. Comfort’s case.

‎We remind the Nigerian judiciary and correctional authorities that the courts have consistently held: Any detention founded on an invalid order is a nullity, and continued deprivation of liberty under such circumstances amounts to arbitrary detention in violation of constitutional guarantees and binding international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory.

‎Our demands are clear and urgent:

‎1. Immediate and unconditional release of Ms. Comfort from Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

‎2. Official withdrawal and nullification of the defective remand warrant through proper judicial process.

‎3. Administrative investigation and disciplinary action against all officers; judicial, police, and correctional, who facilitated this abuse of process.

‎4. A strong public commitment by the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service to enforce the statutory verification of all remand warrants without exception.

‎CEHRAWS stands firmly with all concerned citizens who have raised the alarm. We will not allow this case to be swept under the carpet, and we are prepared to escalate through legal action, media advocacy, and direct engagement with relevant oversight bodies until Ms. Comfort’s liberty is restored and the systemic rot exposed.

‎This case is a test of our justice system’s integrity. We call on all human rights defenders, the Lagos State Civil Society community, and the National Human Rights Commission to join in demanding #FreeComfortNow.

‎Signed:

‎Okoye Chuka Peter

‎Executive Director – CEHRAWS

‎cehraws@gmail.com  |  +234(0)803-552-9865.

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