The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has formally petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), calling for the investigation and prosecution of veteran Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, over his alleged unruly conduct aboard a domestic ValueJet flight.
The move comes days after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, publicly criticised the NCAA for initially sanctioning only the pilot involved in the August 5 incident, while leaving K1 unpunished, despite both being found culpable in preliminary reports.
The altercation, which occurred during boarding for ValueJet flight VK201 from Abuja to Lagos, reportedly disrupted standard operational procedures and raised serious concerns about passenger behaviour and adherence to aviation safety protocols.
According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Fuji maestro attempted to take an unidentified liquid—later confirmed to be alcohol—onboard in a flask, in violation of international aviation rules that prohibit carrying liquids above 100ml through security unless declared and medically justified.
Despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the flight captain, K1 allegedly refused to comply. In the ensuing confrontation, he was said to have spilled the contents of the flask on a ValueJet security officer, moved to the front of the aircraft, and refused to leave, effectively delaying the flight. He was eventually escorted off the tarmac by AVSEC officials.
Viral videos of the incident showed the pilot, Captain Simisola Ajibola, calmly engaging the musician as other passengers looked on. The footage sparked widespread public commentary, with many praising the pilot’s composure.
In a statement on Thursday, NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu said the agency found K1’s conduct to be in breach of aviation safety protocols and had imposed a six-month no-fly sanction on him. He confirmed that the authority had written to the AGF and the IGP urging a “comprehensive criminal investigation” and “appropriate prosecution in accordance with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 and other applicable laws.”
The Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, also issued an advisory to the Airline Operators of Nigeria recommending that K1 be placed on a nationwide no-fly list for all commercial flights pending the conclusion of the probe. He stressed that the measure aligns with global aviation best practices that prioritise passenger, crew, and aircraft safety.
Minister Keyamo, reacting via his official X account, described the Fuji star’s behaviour as “akin to a hostage situation,” stressing that physically preventing an aircraft from taxiing was “totally unacceptable.” He noted that both the passenger and the pilot displayed a “temporary loss of sanity and control,” which could have had dangerous consequences.
“The issue is not whether he was carrying water or alcohol—it is the obstruction of an aircraft’s movement that is the reprehensible conduct here,” the minister stated.
Achimugu further emphasised that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would not condone any breach of the law, regardless of an individual’s status or proximity to power. He warned that any airline ignoring the no-fly directive risked having its operating licence withdrawn.
K1’s Defence
In a swift rebuttal, the musician’s media aide, Kunle Rasheed, denied the allegations, insisting the flask contained only plain drinking water from the airport lounge. He maintained that K1 made respectful efforts to clarify the matter and did not obstruct the aircraft or disrupt operations.
“There was no attempt to block the aircraft. K1 remained calm throughout the encounter,” the statement read, adding that senior airport officials and airline executives later apologised and even offered to arrange a private jet to Lagos as compensation for the misunderstanding.
FAAN has maintained its stance on zero tolerance for actions that compromise operational integrity. In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, the agency affirmed: “The Authority will not tolerate any actions that undermine aviation safety standards, regardless of the individuals involved.”
Investigations are ongoing, and both the NCAA and FAAN have pledged that all those found culpable—whether passengers or aviation personnel—will face appropriate sanctions.
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