A 71-year-old Nigerian, David Ukesone, says he is still recovering from injuries after he was punched and his mouth taped shut by cabin crew on an Emirates flight to Chicago, USA.
It was the retired policeman’s first air travel in 35 years.
According to his attorney, Howard Schaffner, the dispute began over a seat.
Speaking to ABC News Schaffner said: “He apparently sits in the wrong seat and was told to change seats by a flight attendant.
“He didn’t think he was in the wrong seat and there was an argument and, at some point, he was hit.”
Emirates Airlines later released a statement confirming that an incident had taken place on a Chicago-bound plane.
In the statement, the operator said: “Emirates can confirm that a passenger on flight EK235 from Dubai to Chicago on 23 January had to be restrained by cabin crew due to unruly behaviour during the flight.
“The passenger was handed over to the authorities on arrival in Chicago. The safety of our passengers and crew is of the utmost importance and will not be compromised
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the other passengers on the flight for their understanding, in particular the individuals who had assisted our crew during the flight.”
Ukesone was travelling to the US after being granted an entry visa to join his wife, who had immigrated four months earlier. His adult son and daughter were also US residents.
The argument over seating, his lawyer said, escalated and the flight crew allegedly struck him “at least once” and left a “large welt on his face”.
“He also has significant wounds on his wrists and ankles,” Schaffner added, that he was allegedly restrained with rope.
He also claims he was left alone for the remaining eight hours of the flight and was not given food or water.
His attorney alleges his mouth remained taped shut the entire time.
To make matters worse, Schaffner says, when his family arrived to pick him up from the airport, they waited at the terminal for hours but Ukesone didn’t show.
The family was finally told their dad was pulled off the plane and admitted to the hospital.
Ukesone allegedly remained in the University of Chicago Medical Center for several days and was treated for lacerations and bruising, according to his attorney.
