Chisom Umejiaku
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has blacklisted popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, better known as K1 De Ultimate, from boarding commercial flights in the country for a period of six months.
The sanction followed a security incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where the music icon was said to have violated aviation protocols while attempting to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos.
According to an earlier post by Firstdaily, the altercation reportedly began when K1 attempted to board the aircraft with a flask containing a liquid substance that exceeded the permissible limit of 100ml, in violation of Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and international aviation rules outlined in ICAO Annex 17.
FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, explained that the artist was asked by aviation security personnel and the flight captain to either declare the contents of the flask or surrender it. K1 allegedly insisted that the drink was medically prescribed but was unable to provide supporting documentation.
In response, NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, announced a six-month ban on the artiste. He also confirmed that the pilot and first officer of the flight have had their licences suspended for departing without proper clearance.
READ ALSO: NCAA Grounds Two ValueJet Pilots Over Safety Violation at Abuja Airport
“The status of any individual, whether a public figure or connected to high offices, does not place them above aviation safety laws,” Achimugu said.
Meanwhile, K1’s media team has denied any wrongdoing. His spokesman, Kunle Rasheed, said the flask contained only water offered to him in the VIP lounge and accused airport officials of mishandling the situation. He also claimed that senior figures from both the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and ValueJet later apologised and offered to arrange a private flight for the singer—an offer he declined.
The incident has sparked reactions on social media, with many Nigerians calling for better conduct from both high-profile figures and aviation personnel.