By Sola Ojewusi
In an unprecedented move aimed at restoring discipline and enforcing aviation safety standards, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has come down hard on both music legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1) and the crew of ValueJet Airlines, following a dramatic altercation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday, August 7, 2025.
According to a press statement issued by the Minister, video evidence and official reports submitted by relevant aviation agencies painted a disturbing picture of a “temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides” that could have led to serious consequences, including possible fatalities.
A Hostage-Like Situation on the Tarmac
The incident reportedly escalated when Kwam 1 repeatedly positioned himself on the tarmac in a manner that blocked the ValueJet aircraft from taxiing to the runway for takeoff. “Contrary to what the agents of Kwam 1 have said,” Keyamo stated, “he constantly moved his position on the tarmac to actually block the aircraft. This is totally unacceptable behaviour.”
The Minister dismissed the argument over whether the Fuji icon was holding water or alcohol during the altercation as irrelevant to the larger issue. “The reprehensible conduct here is the physical blockage of the aircraft — akin to a hostage situation,” he emphasized.
Pilot Also Under Fire
However, Keyamo was equally scathing in his assessment of the actions of the aircraft’s captain and pilot, who began taxiing despite the obvious safety threat. “No amount of provocation should make a captain begin to taxi without ensuring that security personnel have safely moved an unruly passenger away,” he said.
Keyamo stressed that both parties had violated International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety protocols. While the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had swiftly moved to suspend the licenses of the pilot and captain involved, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction with what he viewed as a one-sided approach to justice.
Equal Measures for All
“I commend the NCAA for their proactive action,” Keyamo said. “However, I have questioned their sense of justice in only acting against one 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.”
In a firm directive, the Minister ordered that Kwam 1 be placed on a “No-Fly List” pending the conclusion of a full investigation. He further directed the NCAA to inform all airlines, domestic and international, of the development, warning that any airline that flouts the order risks losing its operating license.
Industry Reactions Awaited
The Minister’s decision has sent ripples through the aviation and entertainment industries alike, raising questions about celebrity behaviour in public spaces and the professional conduct of airline personnel under stress.
As Nigerians await the full findings of the investigation, the incident underscores the critical importance of upholding safety standards and the rule of law — even in situations involving high-profile personalities.
A Clear Message
With this decisive action, Festus Keyamo has not only reaffirmed his zero-tolerance policy on aviation misconduct but also delivered a clear message: no individual, regardless of status, is above the law — especially when public safety is at stake.
