AVIATION SAFETY BREACH: KWAM1’s journey to no-fly list

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the apex regulatory authority in the aviation industry, late on Tuesday, released a statement to the effect that licences of two pilots of ValueJet – a Nigeria’s domestic carrier, have been suspended. According to the authority, they were suspended for serious safety breach during a pre-departure procedure at the […]

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the apex regulatory authority in the aviation industry, late on Tuesday, released a statement to the effect that licences of two pilots of ValueJet – a Nigeria’s domestic carrier, have been suspended.

According to the authority, they were suspended for serious safety breach during a pre-departure procedure at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

A 23-second video posted on the X page (formerly Twitter) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) showed that the aircraft involved was a CRJ-900ER with registration 5N-BXS.

The aircraft was seen taxiing from its bay with some ground staff maintaining close proximity to the plane indicating that it is not yet cleared to depart.

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NCAA’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, in a statement said the action of the pilots was “reckless” and endangered the safety of ground personnel and “other airport users, contravening established civil aviation regulations and international safety standards.”

The NCAA described the situation as one it views “with utmost seriousness,” necessitating immediate enforcement action against the flight crew.

The statement read: “Preliminary information indicates that the pilot in question 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. This suspension will remain in place pending the conclusion of a full investigation into the incident.”

Like the saying that there is no smoke without fire, the following day on Wednesday, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) provided clarity on the incident which led to the suspension of the pilots.

It was FAAN who revealed that the incident involved a popular musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM1) popularly known as K1 De Ultimate. 

KWAM1 is a popular Fuji musician who is well known all over the country. He is more popular in Yorubaland and he has in recent times been involved in some controversy.

According to FAAN, preliminary investigations confirmed that the passenger was scheduled to board the morning flight operated by ValueJet Airlines (Flight VK 201) to Lagos.

During boarding, the passenger attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance on board despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the Flight Captain, FAAN explained.

FAAN stated that 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.”

It said the passenger was informed of this regulation but reportedly declined to comply.

While the boarding continued, an airline security officer was said to have asked the musician to step aside for further clarification. 

However, the passenger allegedly refused and spilled the contents of the flask on the officer, which turned out to be alcohol.

The statement added, “The Flight Captain intervened but faced similar resistance. After confirming that boarding was complete, she instructed the closure of the aircraft’s door.

“At this juncture, the passenger moved to the front of the aircraft and refused to leave the area despite repeated requests. He was ultimately escorted away by AVSEC crime unit for further investigation, after which he was released.

“This matter remains under thorough investigation, and all parties found culpable will be held accountable according to the law.”

 

I didn’t disrupt flight – KWAM1

Several videos showed KWAM1 in the belly of the aircraft but KWAM1 countered the claim of disrupting the flight, describing FAAN’s account as misleading.

Kunle Rasheed, Media Aide to K1 De Ultimate, in a statement, explained that his principal and his personal assistant were the victims.

“We wish to categorically state that this narrative is not only exaggerated but also misleading.

“At no point did K1 act in a manner that endangered lives or breached safety regulations. The substance in question — which was wrongly sensationalized — was nothing more than plain drinking water, given to him at the airport lounge while he waited to board the aircraft. Despite his respectful effort to clarify this, the situation was unnecessarily escalated.

“Claims that K1 blocked the aircraft or attempted to disrupt operations are completely unfounded. The veteran artiste, who is globally respected and frequently travels both locally and internationally, understands and strictly adheres to aviation protocols,” the statement added. The aide reiterated that KWAM1 remains a law-abiding citizen.

 

Journey to blacklist

KWAM1 is not a stranger to controversy. He is a well-respected Fuji musician, admired and deified by his fans worldwide but also without foibles. He has been described as imperious. His Ganusi row with Islamic scholars during the Fidau of his late mother over a remark considered an affront on the Alfas still remains fresh in the consciousness of his friends and foes alike.

But for him, this is not the best of times as he might not be able to fly anywhere from Nigeria at least for now.

Despite attempts by KWAM1’s media aide to absolve his principal of the blame, the video evidence appears indisputable. This has necessitated the NCAA taking a stringent decision on the musician by blacklisting him for 6 months as confirmed by the Director of Public Relations and Consumer Affairs of the NCAA, Mr. Michael Achimugu.

Achimugu told newsmen in Lagos that despite KWAM1’s perceived closeness to the president, he is not above the law. According to Achimugu, everyone involved in the episode would be dealt with accordingly.

Fly KWAM1, lose your licence, Keyamo tells Airlines

However, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has intervened in the development. He described the whole scenario as a “temporary loss of sanity” by both KWAM1 and the flight crew.

He said while the NCAA immediately dealt with the flight crew, the musician was not sanctioned immediately.

“I have noted that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (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 apply to the gander. That is one of the tenets of justice I have preached all my life. I will not sit idly by and allow this to pass.

“In this 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 risks withdrawal of their operating licence.”

Keyamo stated that it is unacceptable that KWAM1 blocked the aircraft from taxiing, adding also that there is no amount of provocation that should have warranted the decision of the captain to begin to taxi without getting clearance.

“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.

“Contrary to what the agents of Kwam 1 have 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 an issue at this point. It is the physical blockage of the aircraft from taxiing that is the reprehensible conduct here which is akin to a hostage situation. The actual video footage showing this recalcitrant behaviour is hereby attached.

“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 away an unruly passenger that is standing in front of an aircraft.

“Both sides breached standard safety protocol as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).”

 

Menace of unruly conduct

Unruly behaviour from passengers has become a hydra-headed monster among Nigerian passengers. While passengers have their rights as stipulated in Part 19 of Nigeria’s civil aviation regulations, unruly conduct is also frowned upon by ICAO, the global body regulating civil aviation which Nigeria aligns with.

ICAO frowns at incidents of unruly passengers and just in April last year, it called on member-states including Nigeria “to fast-track the ratification of the 2014 Protocol to Amend the Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft (Montréal Protocol 2014 or MP14).”

Several high-profile Nigerians have been involved in unruly behaviour. In June last year, a former labour leader and ex-governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole was also accused of unruly behaviour.

 

Episode exposure of security lapse – Expert

An aviation analyst, Capt. Samuel Caulcrick, in a chat with our correspondent said the incident exposed the security laxity at Nigerian airports.

He wondered how KWAM1 was allowed to board with a liquid substance in his possession, saying the investigation must be thorough to unravel everyone who is culpable in the episode. 

Caulcrick said, “How did he get there, he must have passed through some security checks. It is a process. You check in, go through security, go through scanners. So why didn’t they flag it there? They shouldn’t have allowed him to enter the boarding lounge.

“There was a failure at the screening point, it means they didn’t do a proper thing. The machine would have discovered it and they would have asked him to open it.

“He wouldn’t have gotten to the foot of the airplane. Something had gone wrong. They allowed him to enter the boarding lounge, and passed through the last check.

From the video I saw, they said he was blocking the aeroplane. I saw him talking to some people. Again, they said the crew got a thumbs-up from the Marshall to take off. It means something is wrong.”