The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has reinforced the travel ban placed on popular Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as KWAM 1, warning that any airline, domestic or international, that flies him risks having its operating license withdrawn.
The minister’s stern directive follows a controversial incident involving the singer during a ValueJet flight boarding process, which has dominated headlines in recent days.
Altercation Over Flask Leads to Tarmac Drama
According to reports, KWAM 1 was questioned by ValueJet officials who suspected that a flask in his possession contained alcohol. The musician allegedly refused to surrender the flask and insisted on boarding with it.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) stated that the situation escalated when he spilled the flask’s contents on an airline official, with subsequent testing revealing the liquid was alcohol.
“The passenger allegedly refused and spilled the contents of the flask on the officer… The flight captain intervened but faced similar resistance. After confirming that boarding was complete, she instructed the closure of the aircraft door,” the NCAA’s statement read.
A viral video from the scene showed the musician, after being denied boarding, standing in front of the aircraft to prevent it from taxiing. Airline officials were seen pleading with him to move, while pilots attempted to taxi slowly to avoid hitting him.
Pilot Suspension and Minister’s Reaction
On Wednesday, the NCAA announced the suspension of two ValueJet pilots for unsafe behaviour during the incident.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Minister Keyamo said he agreed with the suspension of the pilots but condemned what he called a “one-sided judgment,” insisting that the unruly passenger must face equal consequences.
Keyamo described KWAM 1’s conduct as “unacceptable and reprehensible,” stressing that the physical obstruction of an aircraft from taxiing was akin to a hostage situation.
“Contrary to what the agents of Kwam 1 have said, he constantly moved his position on the tarmac to actually block the aircraft from taxiing to take position on the runway for take-off.
The issue of whether he was carrying water or alcohol is not even in issue at this point. It is the physical blockage of the aircraft… that is the reprehensible conduct here,” Keyamo said.
The minister added that he had directed the NCAA to place KWAM 1 on a no-fly list pending a full investigation and that all airlines, both domestic and international, must be informed of the directive.
“Anyone who flouts this directive risks the withdrawal of their operating license,” he warned.
Political Connections and Public Profile
KWAM 1 is a household name in southwest Nigeria, credited with popularising Fuji music, a traditional Yoruba genre. He enjoys significant political influence as a staunch supporter of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He has performed at numerous APC rallies and notably entertained guests at President Tinubu’s inaugural ball in May 2023.
