Category Nigeria News

The Federal Government says it will engage Fuji maestro Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, better known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for airport security protocol after he attempted to block a moving aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Aviation regulator the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), had imposed an indefinite flight ban and filed a criminal complaint against him.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo announced a review of the sanctions, citing appeals from well-meaning individuals and the singer’s public show of remorse.

“In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.

“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1,” the minister said.

READ ALSO: IGP Returns NCAA Petition Against Kwam 1 To Airport Command

The incident, which occurred on 5 August 2025, involved a ValueJet Airlines aircraft preparing to taxi. The singer was seen in viral footage standing in front of the plane and was said to have allegedly assaulted an airport official. The act drew widespread condemnation, with calls for his arrest and prosecution.

He was placed on an indefinite flight ban, and a petition was written against him.

But the singer, last Friday, released an apology, admitted his fault, and pleaded for forgiveness.

“I take full responsibility for all incidents. Once again, I seek forgiveness from Mr President, the Minister for Aviation, the pilot, the airline staff, passengers, and my fans across the globe,” the Fuji star said.

Explaining the events leading to the altercation, the Fuji singer said the matter arose from a water container he was carrying.

“I poured water in it because of my health situation. I need to be sipping water because I’m dehydrated, as recommended by my doctor,” he said.

More than one week after the incident, Keyamo said the NCAA will also restore the licences of ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba – who were on board the aircraft –  after a one-month suspension.

The review of the ban followed the controversy over perceived selective justice, sparked by the detention of another passenger, Comfort Emmanson, for “unruly” behaviour aboard an Ibom Air flight.

While Emmanson was remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre, the handling of KWAM 1’s case drew criticism from the public.

However, Keyamo on Wednesday ordered the withdrawal of the case against Emmanson.

“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,” he wrote.

“When the Police took her Statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.”

The minister said the recent incidents had “helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space” and revealed that both passengers and airline staff had committed wrongs in the cases under review.

“These above decisions were taken by the government and the airline operators purely on compassionate grounds. Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws is involved,” he said.

The minister directed all relevant aviation agencies to begin a retreat next week to retrain personnel on managing disruptive passengers and de-escalating potentially explosive situations.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has made a direct appeal to the Federal Government to prioritise the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in naira.

The Union appealed during a tour to the Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited, by the Chairman of the NLC, Lagos State chapter, Comrade Funmi Sessi, on Tuesday.

It argued that forcing the company to import crude or purchase locally in dollars undermines the promise of lower fuel prices for ordinary Nigerians.

“This country has crude oil in abundance. So why is Dangote still being made to import crude or pay for it in hard currency?” the NLC queried. “If the government is truly committed to reducing fuel prices and supporting local refining, it must sell crude oil to Dangote in naira.”

The union stressed that sourcing crude locally in local currency would significantly lower operational costs and, by extension, lead to a more sustainable reduction in fuel prices.

“With a daily capacity of 650,000 barrels, this refinery can serve Nigeria and even the West African sub-region. We have also seen big ships taking fertilisers to other countries. The government must maximise”

NLC hailed the Refinery as a transformative national asset, calling it a vital step in bridging Nigeria’s fuel supply gap, boosting employment, and restoring public confidence in the country’s industrial capacity.

Sessi praised the massive scale and strategic significance of the Dangote Group’s investments, stating that the projects are delivering tangible benefits to the Nigerian people.

“Today, we have seen the massive Dangote Refinery project, as well as the fertiliser plant. We have also observed some of Dangote’s other investments in this axis. It is truly enormous and highly impressive,” said the NLC chairperson. “I believe what we have seen is a clear effort to bridge the gap in the availability of essential products in the country and to create job opportunities for Nigerians and others, as well as industrialise the country.”

The union acknowledged that following FG’s removal of petrol subsidies, Nigerians experienced an unprecedented surge in the cost of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol; however, it added that the entrance of Dangote Refinery into the market helped to stabilise prices.

“It wasn’t until Dangote came into the picture that we started seeing some relief. His intervention significantly crashed the escalated prices of PMS and other refined products. That’s a clear demonstration of private sector leadership,” she stated.

The NLC lauded Aliko Dangote for achieving a fully functional, world-class refinery capable of meeting both domestic and regional demands for refined petroleum products.

“When government-owned refineries failed, one man stepped up. Aliko Dangote didn’t just make promises; he fulfilled them. He has proven that Nigeria can not only refine its own products but also meet international quality standards,” she added.

The union also hailed the refinery’s production of Euro 5-compliant fuel, which features significantly reduced sulphur content, aligning with international environmental standards and boosting Nigeria’s credibility in the global petroleum market.

“This is the kind of pride we want to see — a Nigerian company producing at global standards. It is changing the narrative and elevating Nigeria’s position globally. It’s time the government supports and maximises the capacity of this asset”

In addition to fuel, the NLC noted the group’s fertiliser company, which is already exporting to international markets. It urged the government to leverage these capabilities to enhance food security and reduce dependence on imported agricultural inputs.

Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the planned deployment of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks to support the distribution of refined petroleum products across Nigeria is aimed at ensuring that the benefits of domestic refining and the resulting reduction in fuel prices are fully passed on to Nigerian consumers.

Edwin stated that the introduction of the CNG-powered fleet is a strategic step to reduce logistics costs in fuel distribution — a major factor in the final pump price.

“The deployment of these 4,000 CNG-powered trucks will help us pass down the benefits of domestic refining and the reduction in product prices to consumers,” Edwin said. “The aim is to support logistics and make distribution more efficient, not to displace any existing players in the sector.”

READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery Slashes Ex-Depot Petrol Price By ₦30

He further explained that the use of CNG-powered trucks, in addition to being more environmentally friendly, will significantly reduce transportation expenses, ultimately making refined products more affordable for Nigerians.

Edwin also highlighted the wider impact of Dangote’s industrial ventures, particularly in stimulating competition and growth in key sectors of the Nigerian economy. He cited the Dangote Sugar Refinery as an example, noting that its success paved the way for other companies, including BUA Group and Nigerian Flour Mills, to invest in sugar production.

“We’ve seen it with sugar, and we’ve seen it with cement. The success of Dangote Cement led to the emergence of players like BUA, Mangal, and the expansion of Lafarge,” he said. “In the same way, the success of this refinery will drive the emergence of more private refineries in Nigeria.”

According to him, the Dangote Refinery is not only helping to address Nigeria’s long-standing reliance on imported refined products but is also setting the pace for a sustainable and competitive refining industry that will benefit the broader economy.

The Federal Government has ordered the withdrawal of the case against Comfort Emmanson on an Ibom Air flight on August 10, 2025.

The development came after Emmason was remanded in prison following the incident.

A statement by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday, said the move was necessitated following 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”.

Channels Television reported that Emmanson had allegedly attacked a flight attendant and clashed with security operatives at the airport.

The alleged assault led to her being arraigned and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos State on Monday.

Reacting to the incident in a statement posted on his X page on Monday, Keyamo confirmed that Ms Emmanson was arraigned before the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on criminal charges.

He condemned her actions, noting that she was remanded because she failed to provide adequate sureties in court.

However, the minister also criticised the circulation of the viral indecent video, which showed Ms Emmanson’s top torn and her upper body exposed.

He said he ordered action against the Ibom Air officials who leaked the footage.

Her prison remand has since sparked further outrage among civil societies, the public, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which condemned Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria for the unfair manner in which the incident was handled.

In a U-turn on Wednesday, Keymao said parties involved in the incidents have learnt their lessons.

He also said the incident had raised public awareness of airport security protocols regarding travelling.

“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 in recent.

“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.

“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 that 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,” the Minister’s statement read in part.

Following deliberations, “including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors”, Keyamo said he had prevailed on Ibom Airline to withdraw the complaint against Emmason.

“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 the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.”

Keyamo noted that the female Ibom passenger will be released from Kirikiri prison immediately, and the lifetime flying ban will also be lifted.

“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.

A Labour Party group has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that any attempt to exclude it from the forthcoming 16 August 2025 by-election will lead to the nullification of the exercise in line with the provisions of the law.

“If INEC goes ahead to conduct the by-election without publishing the names of our candidates and ensuring that our logo appears on the ballot, we will seek the nullification of the election in accordance with the law,” the LP group National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said in a statement on Tuesday.

Ifoh also urged Nigerians to prevail on INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, to respect the Constitution and the Electoral Act by discharging his duties as required. It accused the commission of working “for interests that are anti-democratic” and wasting taxpayers’ money.

According to him, the Electoral Act 2022 provides that any political party excluded from participating in an election is entitled to seek redress in court.

“INEC is gambling with the huge resources of the country being expended on the by-election scheduled for 16 August,” he stated. “We are not going to be helpless as the law has provided adequate remedies for any act or omission by the commission that has shortchanged the party or put its image in disrepute.”

READ ALSO: By-Elections: Abure-Led LP Group Protests At INEC HQ Over Omission Of Candidates

He stressed that it would not tolerate any action by a regulatory body aimed at damaging its reputation, questioning “what interest INEC is protecting that will make it throw the entire country into unnecessary crisis and incur such colossal financial waste.”

Ifoh also referenced the Supreme Court’s decision of 4 April 2025, which affirmed that leadership issues are an internal affair of a political party.

He noted that, in line with internal processes, a convention was held on 27 March 2024 in Nnewi, which produced the leadership led by Julius Abure.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has returned the petition of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) against Fuji singer Wasiu Ayinde, also known as Kwam 1, to the Police Command at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Tuesday, confirmed the receipt of the petition against the singer who tried to block a moving ValueJet aircraft on August 5, 2025, at the Abuja airport.

The singer’s action attracted widespread condemnation, with many calling for his arrest and prosecution.

The NCAA had immediately written to the IGP and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, calling for a “comprehensive criminal investigation and the initiation of appropriate prosecution” against the singer known to be an ally of President Bola Tinubu and who has performed in rallies of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The civil aviation regulator had also slammed an indefinite ban on the singer, warning that any local or international airline that flies the singer risks its license being withdrawn.

READ ALSO: Unlike Ibom Air, ValueJet Did Not Press Charges Against Kwam 1 — NCAA

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo had condemned in strict words the unruly behaviour of the Fuji maestro, saying his act of blocking a moving aircraft by the singer was unacceptable and reprehensible.

Though Kwam 1 released an apology video over the weekend, the remand of an unruly Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Lagos, has ignited selective justice flames, with many calling for the instant prosecution of Kwam 1.