Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to blacklist Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, from flying within Nigeria for six months due to his misconduct at the domestic terminal of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Gatekeepers News reports that Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, made the disclosure during a press briefing on Thursday.
Achimugu noted that disciplinary measures are being enforced against all parties involved in the August 5 incident.
He said, “What I must assure the general public is that everybody involved in this will be brought to book.”
“As we speak, the passenger is going to be blacklisted for the next six months flying in Nigeria.”
“Aviation rules are made for everybody, for the protection of everybody. These rules are global. There is nothing about the rules that is to antagonise any passenger.”
“So, we will do everything we can to get to the root of it. Everybody who needs to be punished or sanctioned will receive justice.”
The NCAA spokesman also revealed that it is taking steps to initiate legal action, with letters being drafted to the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police to explore possible prosecution.
When questioned about Kwam 1’s connection to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and whether it could influence the case, Achimugu stressed that both the President and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo are committed to upholding the rule of law.
The incident, which has stirred public reaction, also led to the suspension of two ValueJet pilots. According to the NCAA, the pilots violated safety procedures by commencing departure without completing the mandatory pre-departure clearance, putting ground staff and other airport users at risk.
Reports linked the disruption to Kwam 1’s alleged disorderly behaviour. He was reportedly seen drinking from a flask onboard, raising suspicions that it contained alcohol.
Attempts by flight attendants and aviation security personnel to verify the substance were reportedly met with resistance, resulting in the contents being spilled on a security officer.
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) later confirmed the spilled substance was alcohol and that Kwam 1 had ignored repeated warnings.
However, in a statement released on Thursday, the musician refuted the allegations, describing the reports as exaggerated and misleading.
He claimed the flask contained only plain drinking water, which he said was handed to him while he waited in the airport lounge.
