NCAA Bans K1 de Ultimate from Flying for Six Months over Airport Misconduct
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced a six-month flight ban on renowned Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 de Ultimate, following an incident at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, made the disclosure during a press conference on Thursday. He confirmed that the musician would be blacklisted from flying within Nigeria for six months due to alleged misconduct.
“We want to assure the public that everyone involved in this incident will face appropriate consequences,” Achimugu stated. “The passenger is being blacklisted for six months. Aviation laws are universal and designed to protect everyone — no one is above the law.”
Achimugu added that the agency is also initiating legal proceedings and has begun communicating with the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police regarding possible prosecution.
When questioned about whether K1’s association with President Bola Tinubu might shield him from sanctions, Achimugu stressed that both the President and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, are committed to upholding the rule of law.
In a separate development, Minister Keyamo ordered that K1 be immediately placed on a no-fly list pending the outcome of a full investigation into the matter. In a statement posted to his official X account, the minister said he had reviewed detailed reports and video evidence from relevant aviation agencies and found both the artist and ValueJet crew to have violated aviation safety protocols.
“From what I’ve seen, it appears to have been a momentary loss of control from both parties — a situation that could have easily turned tragic,” Keyamo noted.
He further described K1’s actions as “akin to a hostage situation,” explaining that the musician repeatedly repositioned himself on the tarmac to block the aircraft from taxiing to the runway — a move Keyamo called “totally unacceptable.”
“The nature of the liquid he carried — whether water or alcohol — is irrelevant. The key issue is his physical obstruction of the aircraft’s movement, which poses a serious threat to safety,” he said.
Keyamo also criticised the initial decision to only sanction the aircraft’s pilot and captain, insisting that all involved parties be held equally accountable.
“In line with that principle, I’ve directed the NCAA to place K1 on a no-fly list, just like the pilot and captain,” he said. “This directive must be enforced across all domestic and international airlines. Non-compliance will attract sanctions, including the possible withdrawal of operating licences.”
Earlier, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed an ongoing investigation into the incident, which occurred on Monday, August 5, during boarding for ValueJet flight VK 201 to Lagos.
According to FAAN, K1 was allegedly carrying a flask containing liquid that exceeded the 100ml limit permitted under international aviation security regulations. Despite multiple warnings from security officials and the flight captain, the musician insisted on boarding with the item.
Tensions reportedly escalated when K1 refused further screening and allegedly spilled the contents of the flask — later confirmed to be alcohol — on a security officer.
However, the singer has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement released by his media aide, Kunle Rasheed, K1 insisted the flask only contained plain drinking water provided at the airport lounge. He claimed he attempted to clarify the situation calmly before it was unnecessarily escalated.
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The statement rejected claims that the musician blocked the aircraft or endangered passengers, stating that K1 remained respectful and composed throughout the encounter.
It also alleged that top airport and airline officials later reached out to apologise and even offered a private jet to take him to Lagos free of charge.
“We appeal to the media and the public to avoid sensationalism,” the statement read. “K1 is a law-abiding citizen and continues to fully cooperate with relevant authorities to ensure a fair and responsible resolution to the matter.”
