The lawyer for the anti‑Tinubu passenger on an Abuja‑Lagos flight, Ejike Ugwu, announced that his client, Mr Obiajulu Uja of Oji‑River Local Government Area, Enugu State, will be charged on Monday. Ugwu questioned the decision to prosecute Uja, describing him as mentally challenged and asking whether any medical examination had been conducted to determine his fitness for trial. “The DPO said the man will be charged on Monday; this is a man that we said is mentally ill. Have you conducted any medical examination on him to know whether he is mentally fit to be charged to court? On what grounds are you charging?” he said.
Uja had earlier declared that President‑elect Bola Tinubu should never be sworn in on May 29. A video obtained by our correspondent showed at least six airport security officers removing him after he held the plane for more than an hour. According to Ugwu, the passenger, a former Zenith Bank employee in Lagos, had been in Abuja for a few weeks. “He worked with Zenith Bank until he developed some health issues. A few days ago Riz Continental Hotel, Abuja, chased him away because of his mental instability,” the lawyer added.
Ugwu explained that Uja bought three tickets on Friday for Lagos State but encountered problems with almost all airlines before finally boarding an Ibom Air flight. When asked about his motives, Uja reportedly said he wanted to market his products and attract passengers’ attention by raising the issue that “Asiwaju will not be sworn in.” Ugwu noted that Uja’s social media shows he is not a member of the Obedient movement and emphasized that the man is mentally unstable. After Uja’s arrest, the DPO told Ugwu that the passenger “is not a normal person.” Ugwu urged the police to employ a psychiatrist to assess Uja’s mental state, arguing that a medical certificate from the family should not be required. He added that he left the police station at 5 p.m. and had not seen the DPO since.
The lawyer further warned that Uja needs immediate medical attention, citing a kidney problem and swollen legs, and stressed that only a living person can be investigated. Meanwhile, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) disclosed on Saturday that the passenger had been handed over to the police. Acting General Manager of Public Affairs, FAAN, Mrs Faithful Hope‑Ivbaze, confirmed this to our correspondent in Abuja. Ibom Air’s Group Manager of Marketing and Communication, Aniekan Essienette, said airport security officers evacuated Uja and that the airline’s responsibility ended once the passenger was turned over to aviation security.
Ibom Airlines later apologized to passengers for the delay caused by the incident, stating that the airline intervened and forced the passenger’s removal as a last resort. Assistant Secretary General of the Aviation Round Table, Olumide Ohunayo, observed that Uja “doesn’t appear okay,” noting that his disruptive behavior began at the check‑in counter and continued on board, and warned of potential copycats.
The Nigeria Police Airport Command confirmed that Uja will be charged on Monday with criminal intimidation and public disturbance. Investigating Police Officer Benson Okoh said, “He’s with us; I was trying to confirm to the PPRO. However, he’ll be charged to court on Monday for criminal intimidation and inciting public disturbance.”
Comments are closed for this story.