Nigeria, Aug. 12 -- The Nigerian Bar Association has demanded that Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) immediately withdraw the lifetime ban imposed on Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger who was forcefully removed from the aircraft on Sunday at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for allegedly assaulting a crew member.

In a statement on Tuesday, signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, and Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, the NBA said the AON and Ibom Air decided without hearing from the passenger, a move they said breaches the fundamental principle of fair hearing and renders the decision legally and morally indefensible.

"The NBA demands that AON and Ibom Air immediately withdraw the lifetime ban, issue a pu...