The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has ordered that popular musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, be placed on a no-fly list pending the outcome of a full investigation into the altercation involving him and the crew of ValueJet at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Mr. Keyamo, who described the musician’s actions as “totally unacceptable,” directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure all domestic and international airlines are immediately notified of the directive, warning that any airline that fails to comply risks having its operating license withdrawn.
He further criticized what he called selective justice by the NCAA, which had earlier announced the suspension of the ValueJet captain and pilot involved in the incident.
While commending the agency’s swift action, the Minister said he was concerned that only one party was being penalized, insisting that “what applies to the goose must also apply to the gander.”
In his preliminary findings, the minister condemned the conduct of both KWAM 1 and the flight crew, describing it as a breakdown of sanity and control that could have had fatal consequences.
He emphasized that both parties violated internationally accepted aviation safety protocols as laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
According to the Minister, despite claims from KWAM 1’s camp, video footage clearly shows the musician physically obstructing the aircraft on the tarmac, preventing it from taxiing to the runway.
“This behaviour is akin to a hostage situation. Whether he was carrying water or alcohol is not the issue; blocking an aircraft’s movement on the airside is reprehensible.”
Mr. Keyamo also faulted the ValueJet pilot for beginning to taxi the aircraft while KWAM 1 was still in front of the plane, stressing that “no amount of provocation” justifies such an action.
He said security protocols demand that all threats be cleared from the vicinity before aircraft movement is initiated.
The Minister confirmed that he has received official reports and video footage from the relevant aviation agencies and vowed to ensure a balanced and just resolution of the matter.
Reporting by Nosa Aituamen