Minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, has stated that any airline that does not comply with the no-fly ban on Wasiu Ayinde, the Fuji musician popularly referred to as Kwam 1, risks its operating licence being withdrawn.
In a statement on Thursday, Keyamo noted that his decision followed detailed reports and video evidence submitted by aviation agencies regarding the rift 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 ended 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.”
Keyamo further faulted the pilot and captain of the aircraft for attempting to start 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 aviation 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.”
