The minister of aviation and aerospace, Festus Keyamo development, has said any airline that does not comply with the no-fly ban on Wasiu Ayinde, the popular Fuji musician known as Kwam 1, risks its operating licence being withdrawn.
In a statement on Thursday, Keyamo said his decision followed detailed reports and video evidence submitted by aviation agencies regarding the altercation involving Kwam 1 and the crew of a ValueJet aircraft on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
He described the incident as “a case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides” that could have resulted in serious fatalities.
“Contrary to what the agents of Kwam 1 has said, he CONSTANTLY moved his position on the tarmac to ACTUALLY BLOCK the aircraft from taxiing to take position on the runway for take-off. This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE behaviour,” the minister said.
“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. The actual video footage showing this recalcitrant behaviour is hereby attached.”
He also faulted the pilot and captain of the aircraft for attempting to commence taxing procedures without confirming that the unruly passenger had been safely removed from the tarmac.
“Both sides breached standard SAFETY PROTOCOL as required by the INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (ICAO),” he added.
The minister acknowledged the NCAA’s decision to suspend the pilots but criticised the authority for not taking parallel action against the passenger.
Keyamo said he had therefore directed the NCAA to place Kwam 1 on a no-fly list, pending the outcome of a full investigation — just like the suspended crew members.
“IN THE CIRCUMSTANCE, 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,” he said.
“ALL AIRLINES, both domestic and International should IMMEDIATELY be informed of this directive and anyone who flouts this directive risk withdrawal of their operating licence
NCAA to blacklist KWAM 1 for six months
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is set to blacklist the Musician following his airport drama with officials of Value jet airline at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
This was announced by Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s director of public affairs and consumer protection during a press briefing on Thursday.
He said, “What I must assure the general public is that everybody involved in this will be brought to book.
“As we speak, the passenger is going to be blacklisted for the next six months flying in Nigeria.
“Aviation rules are made for everybody, for the protection of everybody. These rules are global. There is nothing about the rules that is to antagonise any passenger.
“So, we will do everything we can to get to the root of it. Everybody who needs to be punished or sanctioned will receive justice.”
According to him, the NCAA has written to the attorney-general of the federation and the inspector-general of police to initiate legal proceedings against the musician.
When asked if the artiste will be prosecuted given his closeness to President Bola Tinubu, and Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, the director said the NCAA is committed to the rule of law, and no individual — regardless of status — is exempt from due process
