Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, has issued a fresh statement apologising over the altercation with airport and airline officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday.
In the statement signed personally by the 68-year-old and released on Friday, K1 tendered an apology to the presidency, the ministry of aviation, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), ValueJet Airlines, fellow Nigerians and his global fan base.
Describing the episode as “unfortunate,” the musician insisted he was wrongly accused of attempting to board with alcohol, explaining that the flask he carried contained only water to address his chronic dehydration, as advised by his doctor.
“Contrary to the negative narrative being circulated in some quarters, the flask I carried on that particular day contained only water not alcohol, as wrongly alleged,” he wrote.
“I passed through two security screenings with the flask empty. It was only filled with water at the lounge before heading to the tarmac. This can be verified by CCTV footage. More so, I hadn’t even boarded the plane, let alone being deboarded.”
K1 maintained that he had no intention of disrupting operations or breaching aviation safety rules, stressing that his decades-long career has been dedicated to promoting Nigeria’s image globally.
His latest apology comes amid multiple official sanctions over the incident.
The NCAA announced on Thursday that K1 had been blacklisted from flying in Nigeria for six months for allegedly breaching aviation protocols.
The agency accused him of splashing liquid believed to be alcohol on an aviation security officer, obstructing a ValueJet aircraft from taxiing, and walking dangerously close to the runway after the boarding gate had closed.
Video footage from the scene, which circulated online, showed the singer and some airport staff moving near an aircraft as it taxied for takeoff.
The NCAA also suspended the pilot and co-pilot, captain Oluranti Ogoyi and first officer Ivan Oloba, for taking off without proper clearance.
Minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed placing K1 on a no-fly list, describing the obstruction of the aircraft as behaviour “akin to a hostage situation” that could have resulted in fatalities.
“Whether he was carrying water or alcohol is irrelevant. The physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing is the reprehensible conduct here,” Keyamo wrote on X, warning that any airline that violates the ban will risk losing its license.
K1, in a statement through his media aide, Kunle Rasheed on Wednesday, claimed the situation was exaggerated and that senior officials of ValueJet, FAAN and NCAA apologised to him and even offered to arrange a private jet to Lagos, which he declined.
The Fuji star also suggested that the ValueJet pilot might have fabricated parts of the story to protect her license after it was suspended.
Despite maintaining his innocence, K1 said in his new statement that he “deeply regrets the concerns” caused and remains committed to upholding the responsibilities of being a global ambassador for Nigerian music and culture.
“That said, the incident is sincerely regretted,” the statement read.
“To the Presidency, Ministry of Aviation, FAAN, NCAA, ValueJet, fellow Nigerians, and my teeming fans across the world who have shown great concern since the incident happened, I tender my unreserved and heartfelt apology.”
The incident remains under investigation, with the NCAA indicating it will also seek legal action against the musician through the attorney general of the federation and the inspector general of police.
