By Joy Yesufu and Attah Ede
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, (SAN), has directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to place renowned Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (popularly known as KWAM1), on a no-fly list pending further investigations into his alleged misconduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Keyamo also issued a stern warning to all domestic and international airlines, stating that any carrier that transports the blacklisted musician risks having its operating licence withdrawn.
The directive follows an incident on August 5, 2025, during which KWAM1 was seen obstructing a ValueJet aircraft from taxiing after being stopped by aviation security for attempting to board with a restricted liquid substance.
In response, the aircraft’s pilot proceeded to taxi despite the presence of the passenger on the tarmac – a move described as a serious breach of international aviation safety protocols.
In a statement released on Thursday, Keyamo condemned the actions of both the musician and the flight crew, describing the episode as a “temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides,” which could have resulted in a fatal accident.
“From the video footage and reports I’ve received from all relevant aviation agencies, it is evident that KWAM1 physically blocked the aircraft from taxiing, a behaviour akin to a hostage situation,” the Minister said.
While acknowledging the NCAA’s decision to suspend the licenses of the ValueJet pilots involved, Keyamo questioned the fairness of penalizing only the crew, insisting that KWAM1 must also face similar consequences.
“No amount of provocation should justify a captain initiating taxi procedures without ensuring the tarmac is cleared. Both parties breached ICAO’s safety protocols,” he stated.
The Minister emphasized that all airlines must comply with the no-fly directive immediately or risk regulatory sanctions. “What applies to the goose must also apply to the gander. This directive must be enforced without exception,” Keyamo added.
