More troubles for Fuji music maestro, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (aka KWAM1), as the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered his investigation for alleged unruly behaviour and obstruction of safe operations of aircraft.
The latest development came on the heels of an official petition from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to the IGP wherein KWAM1 was accused of engaging in unruly conduct.
Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated this in a press statement dated 12 August, 2025 and titled “Airport Incident: NPF Receives Petition From NCAA On Unruly Behaviour, Obstruction Of Safe Operations Of Aircraft.”
The press statement reads:
“The Nigeria Police Force has received an official petition from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over an alleged incident involving Mr. Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (popularly known as KWAM 1).
“He is accused of engaging in unruly conduct that allegedly obstructed the safe operation of an aircraft, in violation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023 following a reported incident on 5 August 2025 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.”
Adejobi stated in the press statement that IGP Egbetokun, in response to the petition by NCAA, directed the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the matter.
The main thrust of the investigation, he added, was to unravel the circumstances which led to the ugly incident and ensure justice was served accordingly.
“The Force hereby assures the public of its commitment to upholding safety and security within Nigeria’s aviation sector, while assuring stakeholders in the sector of improved collaboration towards aviation security and strict compliance with aviation laws,” it was added in the statement.
The ugly incident, a recall
Recall that a video went viral on 5 August, 2025 in which KWAM1 was seen obstructing and preventing an aircraft belonging to ValueJet Airline from taking off from the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The incident happened, preparatory to the departure of the aircraft from Abuja, its destination being Lagos.
The embattled popular Fuji musician was alleged to have attempted to board the aircraft without submitting a flask which was with him and containing some liquid for security screening.
The staff of ValueJet Airline had alleged that the flask contained some alcoholic content prohibited from being taken onboard aircraft in Nigeria, while KWAM1 insisted that the flask contained just water.
As seen in the video, all entreaties to KWAM1 to submit the flask fell unto deaf ears as he was seen making phone calls, apparently to circumvent the security screening.
In the heat of the face-off, KWAM1 was seen in the video standing in front of the aircraft, just as he narrowly missed death by the whiskers as the aircraft was seen taxiing for its eventual take off.
The incident, which has continued to generated chains of reactions, led to the suspension of Captain Ranti Ogoyi, Pilot-in-Command of ValueJet Airline Flight VK201 from Abuja to Lagos and her co-pilot in the flight.
This was as KWAM1 has also been placed on a six-month flight ban from any of the airports in Nigeria, pending the conclusions of an investigation by the NCAA into the ugly incident.
My own side of the story -Captain Ranti Ogoyi
However, the suspended ValueJet pilot did not take things lying low as she insisted in an explanation that KWAM1 was the offender in the incident.
Captain Ogoyi had stated thus in an interview, some days after the incident:
“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.”
Captain Ranti continued: “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.”
KWAM1’s apology and defence
Same day, the Fuji music maestro, at a press conference, tendered an apology over what he admitted to be an ugly incident, even as he insisted that what he was carrying in his flask that fateful day was not alcohol but water to take care of his constant dehydration.
He also tendered an apology to President Bola Tinubu, the Ministry of Aviation, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), NCAA and the Management of ValueJet Airline.
KWAM1 had stated as follows:
“The incident that occurred at the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on August 5, 2025, involving my humble self and ValueJet Airline, was, to say the least, unfortunate.
“Unknown to many, I suffer from chronic dehydration, and my doctor strongly advised that I remain constantly hydrated. This is why I always carry a water flask with me.
“And contrary to the negative narrative being circulated in some quarters, the flask I carried on that particular day contained only water — not alcohol, as wrongly alleged.
“For the record, I passed through two security screenings with the flask empty. The flask was only filled with water at the lounge area, just before heading to the tarmac.
“This fact can be verified by the CCTV footage at the airport lounge. More so, I hadn’t even boarded the plane, let alone being deboarded.
“However, I acknowledge and deeply regret the concerns that arose from the incident. It was never my intention to cause any disruption or violate aviation protocols in any way.
“My unwavering patriotism and unshaken loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria have never been in doubt.
“Over the years, I have consistently used my God-given talent and platform to promote the Nigerian brand across the globe.
“I would never do anything to tarnish the image I’ve built over the past five decades, nor would I knowingly act in a way that could diminish the reputation of the country I love so dearly.
“That said, the incident is sincerely regretted. I remain committed to upholding the values and responsibilities that come with being a global ambassador of Nigerian music and culture.
“To the Presidency, Ministry of Aviation, FAAN, NCAA, ValueJet, fellow Nigerians, and my teeming fans across the world who have shown great concern since the incident happened, I tender my unreserved and heartfelt apology.”
However, and in spite of the apology, there was a leaked audio tape in which the voice of embattled popular Fuji musician was heard, threatening to deal with the owner of ValueJet Airline, Mr Kunle Soname.
KWAM1 reportedly warned in the video that Soname would feel his (the Fuji musician’s) displeasure in his business for allowing him to disgraced in the incident.
While some people said the leaked audio tape was before KWAM1 tendered his apology, he is yet to either deny or confirm the veracity of the audio tape.
The question is: “Would the investigation ordered by IGP Egbetokun unveil the circumstances of the ugly incident or end up as another jamboree, an exercise in futility?”
Nigerians are watching, waiting to see how far the country’s Number One cop and his team can go in investigating an incident which is now in global purview and an exercise which can make or mar the image of the Fuji music tzar, KWAM1.
