The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has announced plans to blacklist popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, also known as K1 de Ultimate, from flying within Nigeria for six months over alleged misconduct at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, made this known on Thursday during a press briefing.
“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,” he said.
Achimugu emphasized that aviation regulations are globally recognised and designed to ensure the safety of all, adding 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 disclosed that the agency was writing to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police to initiate legal actions against the musician.
When asked if Ayinde would be shielded from prosecution due to his close relationship with President Bola Tinubu, Achimugu stated that both Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, are fully committed to upholding the rule of law.
In the meantime, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered that K1 be placed on a no-fly list pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident.
In a post on his official X account on Thursday, Keyamo stated that after reviewing reports and video footage from relevant aviation agencies, he concluded that both the musician and the aircraft crew violated established safety protocols.
“I have received reports from all the relevant Aviation agencies regarding the altercation between the staff and crew of ValueJet and Kwam 1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday, August 7, 2025. I have also received video footage of the incident.
“From all the details so far received, my preliminary impression is that it was obviously a case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides, which could have led to serious fatalities,” the minister said.
Keyamo added that the action was “akin to a hostage situation,” warning that no one, including celebrities, would be allowed to act with impunity.
He added, “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 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.”
He also questioned why only the pilot and captain had been sanctioned, stating that “what applies to the goose must also apply to the gander.”
“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,” the statement concluded.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria had earlier confirmed it was investigating K1 de Ultimate for allegedly violating aviation security protocols at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement released on Wednesday, FAAN stated that the incident took place during boarding procedures for a ValueJet Airlines flight (VK 201) to Lagos on Monday, August 5.
The musician was accused of attempting to bring an unidentified liquid substance onboard, despite multiple warnings from aviation security personnel and the flight captain.
FAAN clarified that the item in question, a flask, contained liquid exceeding the 100ml limit allowed under international aviation security regulations.
Tensions reportedly rose when the musician refused to undergo further screening and spilled the contents of the flask, later confirmed to be alcohol, on a security officer.
However, the musician has denied any wrongdoing, describing the reports as exaggerated and misleading.
In a statement released by his media aide, Kunle Rasheed, K1 maintained that the flask contained plain drinking water provided to him at the airport lounge. He said he made polite efforts to explain the situation before it was unnecessarily escalated.
The statement also refuted allegations that he obstructed the aircraft or threatened safety procedures, insisting the singer remained calm throughout the incident and never acted in a manner that endangered lives.
It also claimed that senior airport officials and airline executives reached out personally to apologise for the misunderstanding and even offered a private jet to fly him to Lagos at no cost.
“We urge the media and the public to avoid sensationalism and allow the truth, not assumptions to guide their judgment. K1 remains a law-abiding citizen and continues to cooperate fully with all relevant authorities to ensure that the matter is responsibly resolved,” the statement read.
