The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has has black listed Fuji singer Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, from flying in Nigeria for six months over a breach of aviation protocols at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The director of public affairs and consumer protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing.
The 68-year-old was involved in a confrontation with airline and security officials on Tuesday, while attempting to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos.
K1 was said to have tried to board with a flask containing alcohol. When asked by security officials to submit the item for screening in accordance with aviation rules on liquid restrictions, the singer allegedly refused and spilled the liquid on a security officer.
The action was said to have disrupted boarding and prompted intervention from the pilot. The NCAA also said the singer later attempted to stop the aircraft from departing, moving dangerously close to the runway even after the boarding gate had closed.
Video footage circulating online showed the singer and airport staff narrowly avoiding injury as the plane taxied for takeoff, with K1 reportedly ducking to avoid being struck by the aircraft’s wing.
The incident also led to the suspension of two ValueJet pilots, captain Oluranti Ogoyi and first officer Ivan Oloba, for breaching safety protocols by departing without proper clearance.
Confirming the development, NCAA said disciplinary actions were being taken against all parties involved and that the singer would be placed on a no-fly list for six months.
Michael Achimugu said, “What I must assure the general public is that everybody involved in this will be brought to book.
“As we speak, the passenger is going to be blacklisted for the next six months flying in Nigeria.”
Achimugu added that aviation rules are global and made for the safety of all, stressing that no individual would be exempt from accountability.
“So, we will do everything we can to get to the root of it. Everybody who needs to be punished or sanctioned will receive justice.,” he added.
He further revealed that the agency was writing to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police to initiate legal proceedings against the musician.
When asked whether K1 would be spared prosecution due to his close ties with President Bola Tinubu, Achimugu said both Tinubu and the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, were committed to upholding the rule of law.
Reacting to the incident in a statement released by his media aide Kunle Rasheed on Wednesday, K1 denied any wrongdoing, claiming the reports were exaggerated and misleading.
“We wish to categorically state that this narrative is not only exaggerated but also misleading,” the statement said.
“At no point did the legendary singer act in a manner that compromised public safety or disrespected airline protocols. The container in question, a small flask, contained only drinking water handed to him at the lounge — not an alcoholic substance or any form of contraband.”
K1 also said he was the actual victim, insisting that ValueJet, NCAA and FAAN officials apologised to him and even offered to fly him on a private jet, an offer he declined.
“Top officials of the airline, FAAN and the NCAA later met with K1 in Abuja, apologised for the embarrassment and offered to fly him in a private jet to Lagos. He rejected the offer,” the statement added.
The singer further claimed that the ValueJet pilot who was suspended might have concocted the story to protect her license.
FAAN and NCAA investigations are ongoing.
