The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun; over the disruption of a flight at an Abuja airport on Tuesday by a famous musician, Mr Wasiu Ayinde, otherwise known as K1 De Ultimate or KWAM 1 .
The spokesman of the NCAA, Mr Michael Achimugu, said Mr Ayinde’s attempt to block a moving ValueJet aircraft violated Nigeria’s civil aviation regulations, asking for his prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others.
Mr Ayinde is a staunch supporter of President Bola Tinubu and has performed at rallies for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In its letter to the AGF and the IGP, the NCAA called for a “comprehensive criminal investigation and the initiation of appropriate prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023 supra and all other applicable laws”.
Earlier on Thursday, the civil aviation regulator slammed a six-month ban on the singer, warning that any local or international airline that flies him risks its license being withdrawn.
The Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus Keyamo, has also condemned in strict words, the unruly behaviour of the Fuji maestro, saying his act of blocking a moving aircraft was unacceptable and reprehensible.
Recall that the NCAA on Wednesday suspended two ValueJet pilots for unsafe behaviour at the airport during the incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday.
The pilots had taxied the plane while Mr Ayinde was visibly seen in viral videos and a clip shared on X by the minister blocking the aircraft.
According to FAAN, trouble started when Mr Ayinde was prevented from boarding the Lagos-bound flight because he held a flask with an alleged alcoholic content, which the 68-year-old entertainer was accused of spilling on an aviation staffer during a fit of rage.
In a post on X, Mr Keyamo said the NCAA was correct to suspend the two erring pilots, but he faulted the one-sided judgment, insisting that the unruly passenger be dealt with too.
“Contrary to what the agents of KWAM 1 has said, he constantly moved his position on the tarmac to actually blocked the aircraft from taxiing to take position on the runway for take-off. This is totally unacceptable behaviour.
“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 from taxiing that is the reprehensible conduct here which akin to a hostage situation.
“In the circumstances, I have also directed the NCAA to place KWAM 1 on a no-fly list pending further and full investigation, just like the Captain and Pilot. All airlines, both domestic and international, should immediately be informed of this directive and anyone who flouts this directive risk the withdrawal of their operating license.”