Ime Akpan
It is a recurrent spectacle in Lagos to see street urchins, popularly called area boys, standing in front of a commercial bus and daring the driver to move. Some would vandalise the windscreen or wiper of a bus or remove the fuel tank cover or forcefully hop into the vehicle and remove a seat if the driver refuses to part with ‘statutory’ bus stop levy. Neither the commercial motor cycle operators, popularly called ‘okada’ nor their tricycle counterparts, also called ‘keke Marwa or keke NAPEP’ are spared the ordeal of the miscreants who routinely seize their cycles for failing to part with some money. The police and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) are also involved in this brazen act. More often than not, one sees the officials of these enforcement agencies punching a bus driver and dragging the key of the vehicle with him. Some go to the extent of deflating the tyres.
But what would make a politically exposed person (PEP) to challenge a taxiing aircraft, stand arrogantly at its nose and attempt to stop it with his bare hands? This is the question agitating people’s mind as a viral video shows a renowned Yoruba Fuji musician, Mr Wasiu Ayinde Adewale Omogbolahan Anifowoshe, popularly known as Oluaye of Fuji or Kwam 1 (K1) de Ultimate, standing in front of a scheduled ValueJet aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, trying to stop it from taxiing and eventual takeoff.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, August 5 when K1 attempted to board a ValueJet flight with a flask containing a liquid. Aviation security and flight attendants suspected it was alcohol, which is prohibited on flights, and asked him to surrender the flask.
“As boarding continued, an airline security officer asked the passenger to step aside for further clarification. The passenger allegedly refused and spilled the contents of the flask on the officer, which turned out to be alcohol,” the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said in a statement by its spokesperson, Mrs Obiageli Orah.
“In accordance with international aviation security standards, specifically, Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and ICAO Annex 17, liquids exceeding 100ml are not permitted through security screening unless medically necessary and properly declared. The passenger was informed of this regulation but reportedly declined to comply,” she explained.
FAAN stated that the pilot, Capt Oluranti Ogoyi, intervened but the unruly passenger baptised her with the alcohol, as if she was not treated to water salute when she graduated from flight school.
It further stated that after the pilot had confirmed that boarding was complete, she instructed the closure of the aircraft door.
At that point, the Oluaye of Fuji who is a close friend of President Bola Tinubu and also the official musician of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), played the tiger, dared aviation regulation by blocking the aircraft with his full chest, holding up the crew and passengers alike and refusing to leave the aircraft while it moved slowly along the tarmac for take-off.
For taking his arrogance and self-importance too far, K1 had an extremely close shave with the wing of the taxiing aircraft. In the video circulating online, the musician hurriedly ducking the wing blade of the aircraft with a potentially disastrous consequence left everyone gasping for breath. The wing of the aircraft would have severed his head.
The ground staff braved his haughtiness as aviation security crime unit ultimately moved in and took him away for further investigation.
Capt Ogoyi speaks
Narrating what transpired between her and K1, the pilot said: “During boarding which commenced as scheduled at 8:10 am, KWAM1 approached the aircraft at about 08:15–08:20 carrying a gold flask of unknown content.
“Ground staff requested, as per standard procedure, to verify the content of the flask but he vehemently refused.
“He was seen drinking from the flask and the ground staff suspected that it contains alcohol, a substance prohibited onboard aircraft in Nigeria.
“Instead, he responded with comments such as, ‘Do you know who I am? You have no right to tell me to open my flask.’
“As he reached the foot of the aircraft, security personnel reiterated that he could not board without complying with the inspection. He became confrontational, causing a disruption.
“To manage the situation and prevent further delay, I exited the cockpit and approached Mr. Ayinde to engage him amicably. Without warning, he opened the flask and poured its contents on me, the security personnel, and some nearby passengers.
“Following this assault, airport security intervened, and other passengers were allowed to continue boarding. The head of security advised that Mr Ayinde should not be permitted to travel on the flight due to his behaviour. I agreed, prioritising the safety of my passengers and crew.
“After shutting the aircraft doors, I observed that Mr Ayinde was still near the aircraft, obstructing movement. I made a public announcement to inform passengers of the delay while security personnel worked to remove him from the area. Once he was moved out of sight, I commenced taxiing and departed for Lagos at approximately 08:50.
“This incident caused significant delay, disruption, and posed safety risks to passengers, crew, and the operation of the flight.”
NCAA wields the big stick
Following the incident, the NCAA suspended Ogoyi’s licence and that of co-pilot, First officer Ivan Oloba
Spokesman for the Authority, Mr Michael Achimugu said in a statement that preliminary findings showed that the pilot commenced departure procedures from the designated bay without adhering to the mandatory pre-departure clearance protocols.
“This reckless action endangered the safety of ground personnel and other airport users, contravening established civil aviation regulations and international safety standards.
“The NCAA views this incident with utmost seriousness. Consequently, the Authority has taken immediate enforcement action by suspending the licences of the pilot, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First officer Ivan Oloba with immediate effect,” Achimugu said.
He added that suspension would remain in effect until a full investigation into the incident is completed and reaffirmed NCAA’s commitment to safety for all stakeholders.
Section 459A of the Criminal Code Act states that any person who unlawfully obstructs, hinders, or impedes the movement of any aircraft in motion on or flight over any aerodrome is guilty of a misdemeanour and prescribes imprisonment for up to two years.
Section 472 of the Penal Code criminalises the obstruction or hindrance of aircraft movement in similar terms to the Criminal Code, subject to imprisonment for up to two years, a fine or both, depending on the case.
In accordance with the statutory provisions, the federal government imposed a no-fly ban on Kwam 1 for six months and directed foreign airlines to take note.
Furthermore, the NCAA wrote to the attorney general of the federation and the inspector general of police, calling for “a comprehensive criminal investigation and the initiation of appropriate prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023 supra and all other applicable laws.”
In light of the growing concern, the DGCA, Capt. Chris Najomo, also issued an advisory to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), urging the immediate consideration and institution of a no-fly list for K1 De Ultimate(on any commercial flight), pending the outcome of official investigations.
““This advisory is in line with global aviation standards that prioritize the safety of passengers, crew, and airline operations,” the authority said.
Loss of sanity – Keyamo
Weighing in on the matter, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Festus Keyamo said the entire episode was a temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides which could have led to serious fatalities.
“I have received reports from all the relevant aviation agencies regarding the altercation between the staff and crew of ValueJet and Kwam 1. I have also received video footages of the incident. 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 a position on the runway for take-off. This is totally unacceptable behavior,” the minister said. (Sic).
He said K1’s physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing “is a reprehensible conduct which is akin to a hostage situation.”
“On the other hand, no amount of provocation should make the captain and pilot of an aircraft begin to taxi without ensuring that the security personnel have safely moved an unruly passenger away that is standing in front of an aircraft. Both sides breached standard safety protocol as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“I have noted that the NCAA has temporarily suspended the license of the captain and the pilot pending full investigation. I commend them for their proactive action. However, I have also questioned their sense of justice in only acting against one party and not the other party. What applies to the goose must also 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 license,” he said.
40 year-old curse boomerangs – Lasisi Olagunju
In his ‘Flight attendants and King Wasiu Ayinde’s curse’, a columnist with the Nigerian Tribune, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju stated that Ayinde Marshall has been stewed in his own juice. He recalled how the Fuji maestro had cursed his enemies in a song, saying they would be crushed to death while attempting to stop a moving vehicle. According to him, the curse boomeranged and K1 was only lucky that he escaped with his life.
“Some 40 years ago, Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, cursed his enemies in a song that they would challenge a moving vehicle, stand arrogantly in its front and then lose their limbs to the fury of a tipper truck: “Otá mi ‘ò níi yà f’ókò, akóyoyo ní o kan l’ése….
‘Curses don’t act the same day they are pronounced; they ponder well before they act. Sometimes curses, like defective guns, backfire. Wasiu’s 40-year-old invocation turned on him on Tuesday last week. He shocked himself and the world with his using his own body to block a moving airplane. He was lucky; his inner head assisted the outer to duck from death,” Lasisi wrote.
De Ultimate ultimately eats his humble pie
Initially, K1 tried to prove the saying ‘every villain is the hero of their own story,’ by talking tough and trying to justify his action. In an earlier statement issued through his spokesman, Mr Kunle Rasheed, the Fuji musician denied any wrong-doing, saying the allegations against him were exaggerated and misleading.
He claimed that FAAN, NCAA and ValueJet apologised to him and even offered a private flight to take him to Lagos, a gesture he said he declined.
However, facing public backlash, regulatory sanctions and potential prosecution, Ayinde issued a public apology to the authorities, the airline, the pilot, and his fans. He insisted, however, that the flask contained water, which he needed to manage his chronic dehydration, and not alcohol as alleged.
In a viral video, K1 spoke incoherently saying it was “never my intention to cause any disruption or violate aviation protocols in any way.”
He reaffirmed his steadfast patriotism and unwavering loyalty to Nigeria, qualities he said had never been in question.
“Over the years, I have consistently used my God-given talent and platform to promote the Nigerian brand across the globe. I would never do anything to tarnish the image I’ve built over the past five decades, nor would I knowingly act in a way that could diminish the reputation of the country I love dearly. That said I sincerely regret the incident. I remain committed to upholding the values and responsibilities that come with being a global ambassador of Nigerian music and culture.
“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 musician said.
‘Sin’ and the Nigerian big man
Should the Nigerian big men continue to get away with their sins? Last June, the representative of Edo central senatorial zone and former governor of Edo State, Mr Adams Oshiomhole exhibited unruly conduct at Lagos airport when he was denied boarding on a scheduled Air Peace flight due to his late arrival. Instead of taking responsibility for his lateness, the senator created a spectacle that underscores everything wrong with the Nigerian big man. He flew into a rage by obstructing the check-in process for other passengers. He got away with it because he is a god’s big that must not be stepped on.
In ‘KWAM 1, eccentricity and cult of the big man’ Festus Adedayo proffers that Ayinde should not be let off the hook so as to serve as a deterrent to others who might consider doing the same thing.
“The question is, could KWAM 1 have done this at Heathrow Airport, or any other airport of any sane country in the world? In those places, the musician would have been subjected to a mental health evaluation and trial. Yes, Ayinde Wasiu has apologised, but the law is no respecter of passion or persons. England could also have overlooked Oscar Wilde’s indecency charge, taking into consideration his impressionable artistry. It sent him to the HM Prison Reading, popularly known as Reading gaol, located in Berkshire, England, where he served his two-year term with hard labour. Wasiu Ayinde must similarly be used as lesson to the Nigerian Big Man,” he said.
