By Francis Ajuonuma
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a six-month flight ban on popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, over what it described as a grave breach of aviation safety at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The regulatory agency has also petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, urging them to initiate criminal prosecution against the veteran artiste for his “unruly and disruptive” conduct.
NCAA spokesman, Michael Achimugu, said Ayinde’s attempt to obstruct a moving ValueJet aircraft on Tuesday constituted a violation of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023 and endangered public safety.
In its letter to the AGF and IGP, the NCAA requested a “comprehensive criminal investigation and prosecution by the provisions of the law.” It also warned that any domestic or international airline that defied the ban by flying the artiste risked having its operating licence withdrawn.
According to Section 459A of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria, anyone who obstructs, causes an alteration in the course of, or hinders the movement of an aircraft in motion on or in flight over an aerodrome through an unlawful act is guilty of a misdemeanour.
The punishment for this offence is imprisonment for two years.
Keyamo: His conduct constitutes a grave safety risk
Reacting to the incident, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, directed the NCAA to place Ayinde on a no-fly list pending the conclusion of investigations, describing the act as “akin to a hostage situation on the airside.”
“This is not about alcohol or water. This is about physically blocking an aircraft from taxiing — a grave safety risk,” Keyamo posted on his official X handle on Thursday. “Justice must be impartial. What applies to the crew must also apply to the passenger.”
He confirmed that video footage of the incident showed Ayinde repeatedly moving to obstruct the aircraft’s path despite security warnings. The minister said he had also ordered the suspension of the captain and pilot of the flight for attempting to taxi while the passenger was still on the tarmac.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) alleged that the musician attempted to board the flight with a flask containing alcohol, refused to comply with security instructions, spilt the liquid on an official, and moved to the aircraft’s front area, obstructing boarding.
FAAN spokesperson, Obiageli Orah, said security officers had to intervene before he was removed from the airside.
*Security agencies move in
A top security source confirmed that Ayinde would be interrogated over the incident, which could be treated as an offence bordering on airside sabotage under aviation law. “Attempting to block a taxiing aircraft is a serious breach and will be investigated thoroughly,” the source said.
*KWAM 1 denies wrongdoing
In a statement issued by his media aide, Kunle Rasheed, the artiste dismissed FAAN’s claims as “misleading” and “exaggerated,” insisting that the flask contained only plain water given to him at the airport lounge.
He denied blocking the aircraft or endangering lives, adding that top officials of FAAN, NCAA, and the airline had reached out to apologise and even offered to arrange a private jet to Lagos at no cost — an offer he declined.
