The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, says the travel restriction placed on renowned Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, will remain in force indefinitely until ongoing investigations into a recent flight incident are concluded.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had on August 7 directed the NCAA to place the artiste on a six-month no-fly list following an altercation at the airport.
He also warned both domestic and foreign airlines to comply or risk losing their operating licences.
However, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mike Achimugu, was quoted to have said that the sanction is now without a time limit, stressing that the investigation has no fixed completion date.
Preliminary findings indicate that KWAM 1 passed initial airport security checks and accessed the VIP lounge, where he allegedly obtained a bottle of water.
The liquid was discovered during a secondary check before boarding, and the singer was reportedly asked to step aside.
According to the NCAA, the artiste allegedly refused to comply and proceeded towards the aircraft.
Security officials, avoiding the use of force, escorted him to the foot of the plane, where the pilot was called to intervene.
In an attempt to prove the content was harmless, KWAM 1 reportedly splashed the water, some of which touched the pilot, prompting the pilot to shut the aircraft door.
Mr. Achimugu stressed that the account remains preliminary and that final conclusions will only be drawn after the investigation, which has been referred to the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police for further action.
He assured that the matter will not be swept under the carpet, adding that aviation cases are often more complex than they appear