A 71-year-old Emirates Airlines passenger claimed he was beaten and held captive for sitting in the wrong seat during a Chicago-bound flight on Jan. 23.

David Ukesone was on a flight to Chicago, Illinois, to reunite with his wife, who immigrated to the U.S. within the last few months.

The Nigerian man got up to use the restroom and returned to a seat that flight attendants claimed was not his, according to ABC News. At the time of the incident, Ukesone believed that he was in the right seat but was informed by a flight that he needed to change seats. An argument ensued between Ukesone and the flight attendant, which eventually escalated into a hostile situation.

"He apparently sits in the wrong seat and was told to change seats by a flight attendant," attorney Howard Schaffner told ABC News. "He didn't think he was in the wrong seat and there was an argument and, at some point, he was hit."

ABC News reported that Ukesone can speak English but "he has some difficulty understanding" it when it's spoken by someone who isn't Nigerian. Schaffner said that during the incident Ukesone was hit, his mouth was taped at some point, and he was left without food and water for the duration of the eight hour flight.

When he finally arrived at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Schaffner told media that Ukesone was wheeled out on a stretcher and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he remained hospitalized for several days. He was allegedly treated for lacerations and bruising on his face and legs.

Emirates Airlines released the following statement on the restraining of Ukesone, acknowledging occurrence of the incident:

"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 behavior 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."

Although, the statement claims Ukesone was released to Chicago Police and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, there haven't been any criminal charges as of yet. However, Schaffner claims that Ukesone plans to take legal action against the airline.

Man beaten on flight

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