By Ayomide Otitoju
The Federal Government has reduced the indefinite no-fly ban placed on Fuji legend Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, to one month and ordered the restoration of the licenses of ValueJet pilots suspended over an August 5 incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo announced the decision on Wednesday after consultations with stakeholders in the aviation sector.
“In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period,” Keyamo said. “In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and co-pilot First Officer Ivan Oloba of ValueJet, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same one-month ban, following mandatory professional re-appraisal.”
Kwam 1 had attempted to prevent a ValueJet aircraft from departing Abuja, prompting the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to impose an indefinite flight ban and seek criminal prosecution. The singer later apologised, after which the ministry withdrew the complaints and announced plans to engage him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocols.
The development comes amid public criticism over the treatment of Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson, who was placed on a lifetime no-fly ban, remanded in custody, and charged with assault after an altercation with cabin crew on August 10. The NBA and other commentators accused authorities of bias, citing the harsher sanction compared to Kwam 1’s case.
Keyamo said the government has ordered the withdrawal of Emmanson’s case following appeals from “well-meaning individuals” and the remorse shown by those involved. He confirmed that she would be released from Kirikiri Prison this week and that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had agreed to lift her lifetime ban.
The minister also directed aviation agencies, alongside other security bodies, to hold a retreat next week to retrain personnel on managing disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations
