FG has blacklisted Fuji Star Kwam 1 over airport misconduct and suspended two ValueJet Pilots.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Federal Government through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced the blacklisting of Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as Kwam 1, for a period of six months following alleged unruly conduct at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The announcement was made Thursday during a press briefing by Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection.
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“The passenger is going to be blacklisted for the next six months flying in Nigeria. Everybody involved in this will be brought to book,” Achimugu said.
He stressed that aviation regulations apply to all passengers equally, regardless of celebrity status or political affiliations. “There is nothing about the rules that is to antagonise any passenger. The President and the Minister of Aviation are committed to the rule of law,” he added.
In a related development, NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the NCAA has suspended two ValueJet pilots for initiating departure procedures without obtaining the mandatory pre-departure clearance, a serious safety violation. The violation reportedly occurred after a commotion allegedly involving Kwam 1, who was aboard the aircraft.
According to preliminary reports, the musician was seen drinking from a flask, raising suspicions among crew members that he may have been consuming alcohol, which is banned during flights in Nigeria.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) released a separate statement confirming that Kwam 1 attempted to board with an unverified liquid, despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials. “The contents were spilt on a security officer during verification and later confirmed to be alcohol,” FAAN disclosed.
In a rebuttal issued Thursday, Kwam 1 denied all allegations, calling the reports “exaggerated and misleading.” “The substance was plain drinking water given to me at the airport lounge while waiting to board. It was not alcohol,” he stated.
Achimugu confirmed that the NCAA is writing to the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police to initiate legal action against the singer, signalling a rare move against a high-profile individual in the Nigerian aviation sector.
