Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has condemned the recent airport misconduct by Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as Kwam 1, declaring that any airline domestic or international that flies the artist risks having its license revoked.
This follows an incident on Tuesday, August 5, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where Kwam 1 was captured in viral videos blocking a ValueJet aircraft from taxiing for takeoff.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) subsequently blacklisted the musician for six months and placed him on a no-fly list, pending further investigation.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Keyamo stated: “Contrary to claims by his associates, Kwam 1 repeatedly moved to block the aircraft from taxiing—this is unacceptable and tantamount to a hostage situation.
The issue of whether he carried alcohol or water is secondary. His physical obstruction of a scheduled flight is the core concern.”
The altercation reportedly began when airport officials denied Kwam 1 boarding due to his possession of a flask containing an alcoholic substance, which he allegedly spilled on an aviation staffer during a confrontation.
Following the incident, the NCAA also suspended two ValueJet pilots for continuing to taxi the plane while the passenger was on the tarmac—an action deemed a serious safety breach.
However, Minister Keyamo clarified that both parties must face consequences, not just the pilots:
“The NCAA was right to sanction the pilots for unsafe conduct. But it would be one-sided and unjust to ignore the egregious behavior of the unruly passenger. Kwam 1 must face the full weight of the law.”
Keyamo has directed all airlines operating within and outside Nigeria to enforce the no-fly status immediately, warning that:
“Any airline that violates this directive risks the immediate withdrawal of its operating license.”
