The Federal Government has reduced the indefinite no-fly ban on Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, to one month. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the licences of ValueJet pilot Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and co-pilot First Officer Ivan Oloba have also been restored after serving a one-month suspension.
The sanctions followed an incident on 5 August when Kwam 1 attempted to stop a ValueJet aircraft from moving at Abuja airport, prompting the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to impose an indefinite ban and call for criminal prosecution. The singer has since apologised, and authorities have withdrawn the case, appointing him as an ambassador for airport security protocol.
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In a separate case, the government has also ordered the withdrawal of charges against Comfort Emmanson, who was placed on a lifetime no-fly list after an altercation with cabin crew on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on 10 August. Emmanson was remanded at Kirikiri Prison but is expected to be released this week after airlines agreed to lift the ban.
Keyamo said both decisions followed consultations with aviation stakeholders and appeals from well-meaning Nigerians. He has directed aviation and security agencies to hold a retreat next week to retrain personnel on handling unruly passengers and de-escalating incidents at airports.
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