A 25-year-old Nigerian man based in the United States has been remanded in prison custody after allegedly using a fake boarding pass to gain access to a United Airlines flight at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The suspect, Abdulrahman Oluwatumike Oriyomi, appeared before a court on June 8, where a judge upheld his bond at $15,000 while ordering him to remain under strict supervision if released. The court also directed that he wear an ankle monitor and stay within Harris County and adjoining counties.
Oriyomi is facing a felony charge of allegedly impairing or interrupting the operation of a critical infrastructure facility following an incident that disrupted a scheduled United Airlines flight from Houston to Los Angeles on May 18.
According to court documents, surveillance footage showed Oriyomi experiencing difficulties with his boarding pass at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint before eventually being allowed through security screening.
Investigators said he later approached several United Airlines staff members and unsuccessfully attempted to board flights after his boarding pass repeatedly failed to scan.
Authorities alleged that around 9 a.m., Oriyomi joined the boarding line for United Airlines Flight 469 and took advantage of a moment when airline staff were distracted to bypass checks and enter the aircraft without proper authorization.
Court records indicated that after boarding the plane, he occupied a seat before moving repeatedly between the cabin and a restroom. Suspicion was raised when he allegedly identified himself as “Mr. Lopez” to a flight attendant, despite no passenger with that name appearing on the flight manifest.
The aircraft was subsequently ordered back to the gate, where all passengers and crew disembarked. A police K-9 unit later conducted an explosives sweep of the plane as part of security procedures.
During questioning, Oriyomi reportedly disclosed his real identity. Investigators later discovered that a reservation had existed under his name but had been cancelled because payment had not been completed.
Police initially issued him a trespass warning and escorted him from the airport. However, a subsequent investigation reportedly determined that the boarding pass he used was fraudulent after it was examined alongside authentic airline records.
Authorities later arrested and charged him with intentionally disrupting the operation of a critical infrastructure facility, a felony offence under Texas law.
The incident caused a delay of approximately three hours to Flight 469. United Airlines declined to comment on the matter, referring inquiries to law enforcement agencies.
Oriyomi is currently being held at the Harris County Joint Processing Center pending further court proceedings. His lawyer told the court that efforts would be made to secure his release on bond as the case continues.
