The Federal Government has granted clemency to Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, reducing his suspension from flying and appointing him as an ambassador for airport security protocols.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced the decision on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing recent cases of unruly conduct at Nigerian airports.
Keyamo disclosed that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had cut the musician’s flight ban to one month following appeals from concerned individuals and KWAM 1’s public show of remorse. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria will now work with him to promote awareness on proper airport conduct.
“The NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward. Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1,” Keyamo said.
The development follows the August 5 incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in which KWAM 1 allegedly obstructed the movement of a ValueJet aircraft after a confrontation with security personnel. He was accused of carrying a prohibited flask believed to contain alcohol and breaching aviation safety regulations, which initially earned him a six-month no-fly sanction and a police complaint.
In his public apology days after the incident, KWAM 1 explained that the flask contained water for medical purposes and not alcohol as alleged. He expressed regret over the misunderstanding and pledged to comply with aviation safety rules going forward.
Keyamo emphasised that the decision to grant clemency was purely on compassionate grounds. “Government remains committed to enforcing safety and security laws in the aviation sector, but we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies,” he said.
