Olayiwola Matthew
The disorderly conduct of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde led to the suspension of two ValueJet pilots by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1 or K1 De Ultimate, commands a huge following in Nigeria’s music industry, having popularised the Fuji genre.
TheCable reports that Kwam 1, who was onboard a ValueJet plane on August 5, was seen drinking from a flask and was approached by a flight attendant who suspected that the content was alcohol — a substance prohibited on board aircraft in Nigeria.
The attendant was said to have asked the musician to surrender the flask, but Kwam 1 refused, saying it was medication prescribed by his doctor.
TheCable understands that following his refusal to give up the flask, the flight crew de-boarded the celebrity.
Consequently, an enraged Kwam 1 proceeded to the front of the aircraft in an attempt to prevent it from taking off.
In a video seen by TheCable on Wednesday, the Fuji artist was seen standing in front of the aircraft, with ground personnel interacting with him.
Seconds later, KWAM 1 and the ground personnel were seen dodging the wing of the ValueJet plane as the flight forcefully took off in breach of aviation safety rules.
In response, the NCAA, on August 6, announced the suspension of two pilots over the incident which occurred at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The authority said it received reports of a serious breach of aviation safety protocols involving a ValueJet flight.
According to the NCAA, the pilots 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 said.
Apart from the suspension of the pilots, the aviation authority is considering punitive measures for Kwam 1, such as being put on a ‘no-fly list’, over his unruly conduct.
A ‘no-fly list’ is a database of individuals prohibited from boarding commercial flights due to suspected links to terrorism or other security threats.
If the NCAA goes ahead with the punishment, Kwam 1’s international and local engagements may take a hit.