Notorious Fuji music legend, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall popular as K1 De Ultimate lands six months travel ban over assault on a pilot and airport security
Kwam 1 De Ultimate, that is the stage sobriquet of the Fuji music icon who goes by the name King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall. He is currently enmeshed in travel restrictions from the Federal Government following his alleged unruly behavior against a pilot of ValueJet Airline and airport security at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja on Tuesday, August 5,2025.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has accused Kwam 1 of an attempt to board ValueJet aircraft from the airport, Abuja with excessive alcohol.
The incident led to the breach of aviation safety protocols by two pilots who are now on suspension by the airline, while their licenses have been suspended by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
A statement by FAAN on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 said that preliminary investigations confirmed that Kwam 1 was scheduled to board the morning Flight VK 201 operated by ValueJet Airlines to Lagos.
According to the statement, during boarding, Kwam 1 had attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance on board despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the flight captain.
FAAN said that in accordance with international aviation security standards, specifically, Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 17, liquids exceeding 100ml are not permitted through security screening unless medically necessary and properly declared.
FAAN said further that the fuji musician was also informed of the regulation, but he blatantly declined to comply.
An airline security officer had asked the passenger to step aside for further clarification.
FAAN said, “The passenger allegedly refused and spilled the contents of the flask on the officer, which turned out to be alcohol. The Flight Captain intervened, but faced similar resistance. After confirming that boarding was complete, she instructed the closure of the aircraft 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.”
“FAAN is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and regulatory compliance across all Nigerian airports,” the statement added.
On his part, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, released a video showing the Fuji star Kwam 1, allegedly blocking a taxiing aircraft at the Abuja airport, an act he described as akin to a hostage situation.
Keyamo, in a statement on Thursday, August 7 while reacting to the incident involving the singer and the crew of ValueJet, said the footage confirms “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE” behaviour, for which he has directed that Kwam 1 be placed on a no-fly list pending further investigation.
“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,” the minister stated.
He said contrary to claims by representatives of the singer, “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 in 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.
“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 an unruly passenger away that is standing in front of an aircraft.”
He said both parties were guilty of breaching standard safety protocol as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Keyamo commended the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for suspending the pilot’s licence pending a full investigation, but questioned the fairness of not extending similar action to the other party involved.
“What applies to the goose must also 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 THE 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 risk withdrawal of their operating licence, he warned.”
But Kwam 1 has denied the allegations against him as untrue. He refuted claims that he was unruly to airport officials and that he wanted to take alcohol into the plane.
A statement issued by the Media Aide to K1 De Ultimate (KWAM 1), Kunle Rasheed, reads: “Our attention has been drawn to reports alleging that King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 De Ultimate) displayed unruly conduct while attempting to board a ValueJet flight on August 5, 2025, allegedly causing a breach of aviation protocol. 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.
“If indeed there had been anything inappropriate in his conduct, the Head of Airport Security, officials from relevant agencies such as FAAN and NCAA, as well as the Chairman and Managing Director of the airline, would not have reached out personally to appeal, tender apologies, and even go as far as arranging a private jet to fly him to Lagos — at no cost. Despite persistent persuasion from the airline’s top executives, K1 graciously declined the offer.
“We urge the media and the public to avoid sensationalism and allow the truth — not assumptions — to guide their judgment. K1 remains a law-abiding citizen and continues to cooperate fully with all relevant authorities to ensure that the matter is responsibly resolved.”
Also narrating her side of the story, the suspended Pilot of Value Jet Airline, Oluranti Ogoyi, has explained what transpired between her and the musician.
Captain Ogoyi, recounting her experience with K1, wrote: “During boarding which commenced as scheduled at 8:10 am, KWAM1 approached the aircraft at about 08:15–08:20 carrying a gold flask of unknown content.
“Ground staff requested, as per standard procedure, to verify the content of the flask but he vehemently refused.
“He was seen drinking from the flask and the ground staff suspected that it contains alcohol, a substance prohibited onboard aircraft in Nigeria.
“Instead, he responded with comments such as, ‘Do you know who I am? You have no right to tell me to open my flask.’
“As he reached the foot of the aircraft, security personnel reiterated that he could not board without complying with the inspection. He became confrontational, causing a disruption.
“To manage the situation and prevent further delay, I exited the cockpit and approached Mr. Ayinde to engage him amicably. Without warning, he opened the flask and poured its contents on me, the security personnel, and some nearby passengers.
“Following this assault, airport security intervened, and other passengers were allowed to continue boarding. The Head of Security advised that Mr. Ayinde should not be permitted to travel on the flight due to his behaviour. I agreed, prioritising the safety of my passengers and crew.
“After shutting the aircraft doors, I observed that Mr Ayinde was still near the aircraft, obstructing movement. I made a Public Announcement to inform passengers of the delay while security personnel worked to remove him from the area. Once he was moved out of sight, I commenced taxiing and departed for Lagos at approximately 08:50.
“This incident caused significant delay, disruption, and posed safety risks to passengers, crew, and the operation of the flight.”
There are strong indications that KWAM 1 has petitioned the Attorney General and Minister of justice, Aviation Minister, IGP and other agencies over his six months suspension in using any airport in Nigeria.
Kwam 1 has become a habitually notorious personality given his antecedent for being in the news for negative reasons. From the Alaafin’s Wife Saga to ValueJet Drama, he has been in negative publicity for seven times in the recent time.
For example, his alleged “disrespectful” greeting to the Ooni of Ife in 2025 resulted in the social media buzzing in June after a video showed him offering what many described as a “casual” greeting to the Ooni of Ife at an event. The fuji icon, who holds the title of Mayegun of Yorubaland, simply bowed slightly without the traditional prostration expected of Yoruba men.
Critics slammed the gesture as arrogant and disrespectful, while supporters argued his royal title exempts him from such customs.
Again, his ‘Ganusi’ remarks to Islamic clerics in 2025 during his late mother’s Firdaus prayer in January, put him in public spot wrongly. Kwam 1 reportedly referred to some clerics as Ganusi, a Yoruba slang that implies opportunism. The comment drew outrage among Islamic scholars who demanded an apology. However, Kwam 1 refused to bulge, stating that apologising would suggest guilt where there was none.
Hence, Kwam 1’s latest negative outing has attracted the ire of the Nigerian government through the NCAA which has blacklisted him from flying from any part of the country.
He was blacklisted on Thursday, August 7, 2025 for 6 months following his fracas with the ValueJet Airline at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
In a remorse mood on Friday, Kwam 1 unreservedly apologized to the nation including the President and Commander-in-Chief Bola Tinubu, Keyamo, the NCAA and his fans for the unruly behavior, adding “Please pardon my behaviour”.
But he vehemently denied carrying alcohol into the airport, rather he explained that the flask he carried along was empty until he got to the airport and filled it with water because of his dehydration condition. He said, “I seek forgiveness from Mr. President and my fans”.
