Sh*ck U-Turn! FG Orders NCAA To Lift KWAM 1 Flight Ban, Reinstate Suspended Pilots

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has ordered the withdrawal of the criminal complaint filed against popular musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, widely known as KWAM 1 or K1 De Ultimate.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

KWAM 1 had been accused of unruly behaviour that allegedly disrupted the safe operation of an aircraft, in violation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023. The allegations stemmed from an incident on August 5, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where he was reported to have poured alcohol on a flight pilot and attempted to stop a ValueJet airline from departing.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Keyamo also directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to withdraw its earlier police complaint against KWAM 1 and to reduce his flight ban to one month. Additionally, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will collaborate with the musician, engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocols.

Keyamo further instructed the NCAA to reinstate the licenses of ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and co-pilot First Officer Ivan Oloba after their one-month suspension, provided they complete a mandatory professional re-assessment.

The minister said these decisions followed consultations with key aviation stakeholders and consideration of appeals from well-meaning individuals, as well as remorse shown by those involved. He noted that both the offending passengers and airline staff bore responsibility for recent incidents, and valuable lessons had been learned.

Keyamo also directed aviation and complementary agencies to hold a retreat next week to retrain security personnel on handling disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations, with full media coverage. Airlines will have a separate session to address staff conduct toward passengers.

According to him, the government’s decision was taken on compassionate grounds but also serves as a reminder of its firm stance on aviation safety and security.