In our two part editorial earlier this week titled ‘Before terrorists take over the aviation sector,’ we had warned against the slap on the wrist Mr. Waisu Ayinde Marshall aka KWAM 1 or K1 D Ultimate got for his ignominous attempt to block a ValueJet aircraft from taking off at the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on August 5, 2025.
Although the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, who on August 7, 2025 imposed a six month no fly ban on the musician, and a corresponding suspension of the licenses of the flight pilot, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba, for breach of aviation safety protocols, said investigation was still ongoing to determine appropriate punishment, we warned against non-prosecution of the musician and ultimately a mockery of our laws.
Even when Wasiu offered a feeble apology to the government, he nonetheless threatened to deal with Mr. Kunle Soname, chief promoter of ValueJet Airline, whom he constantly referred to as his boy for whom he had brokered deals with the government in the past.
At last, our observations have come to pass. On August 13, 2025, barely a week after what the Aviation Minister had described as an attempted hijack of a plane, the Federal Government not only reduced the no-fly ban to one month but also announced that Wasiu would thereafter become an Ambassador of Proper Airport Security.
The Minister told a bewildered nation: “These above decisions were taken by Government and the airline operators purely on COMPASSIONATE grounds as Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws is involved.
“We have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.”
It is reprehensible that the Government knew that “clear encroachment of our laws is involved” in Wasiu’s infamous act, but “decided to draw a line” after his act. What a crude way to implement laws that even predated the current government and ought to be executed to the letter, but for the musician’s connection to the corridor of power as the official musician of the All Progressives Congress, APC?
But we note that the Fuji cooner got this soft landing because of the uproar that greeted the immediate arraignment and remand in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Lagos, of another lawbreaker, Ms Comfort Emmanson, under 24 hours when she caused a breach on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025.
Nigerians were stupefied that a lesser offence than that of Wasiu Ayinde’s was treated with despatch while the big man with a connection to the Aso Rock Villa walked freely.
It was therefore no surprise when the Federal Government hid under the need to free Ms. Emmanson and allowed the big tout to escape justice. Which was why her case came up first in the granting of clemencies.
The Minister’s August 13 speech in full:
1. In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent.
2. Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.
3. As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and those available to the public. It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.
5. Therefore, after reviewing the entire incidents, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors, the following decisions have been reached:
THE CASE OF IBOM AIRLINE AND MS. COMFORT EMMANSON
(a) In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against her today. When the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.
(b) Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.
(c) I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.
“It is reprehensible that the Government knew that “clear encroachment of our laws is involved” in Wasiu’s infamous act, but “decided to draw a line” after his act. What a crude way to implement laws that even predated the current government and ought to be executed to the letter, but for the musician’s connection to the corridor of power as the official musician of the All Progressives Congress, APC?”
Culled from New National Star