Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, has been banned from travelling by air.
The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, gave the directive after an incident at the Abuja airport where Kwam 1 stood in front of a plane while it was prepping to taxi.
The musician was almost crushed after the plane pilot moved the plane, ignoring his safety along with other officials of Value Jet who tried to remove him from obstructing the flight.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has since announced suspending the captain and pilot of the plane.
While commending the swift decision of the NCAA, Keyamo said it was not all encompassing. He announced that the musician would be placed on no-fly list.
The statement, posted on his X handle, reads: “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. The actual video footage showing this recalcitrant behaviour is hereby attached.
“On the other hand, NO AMOUNT of provocation should make the Captain and Pilot of an aircraft begin to taxi without ensuring that the security personnel have safely moved an unruly passenger away that is standing in front of an aircraft.
“Both sides breached standard SAFETY PROTOCOL as required by the INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (ICAO).
“I have noted that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has temporarily suspended the license of the Captain and the Pilot pending full investigation. I commend them for their proactive action. However, I have also questioned their sense of justice in only acting against one party and not the other party. What applies to the goose must also to the gander. That is one of the tenets of Justice I have preached all my life. I will not sit idly by and allow this to pass.
“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. 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.”
