The Federal Government has reduced the indefinite no-fly ban on Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde, known as Kwam 1, to one month and reinstated the licences of the pilot and co-pilot involved in the ValueJet incident after a similar suspension.
On Wednesday, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the decision followed consultations with aviation stakeholders.
“In the case of Kwam 1, the NCAA will reduce his flight ban to one month,” he stated. “For Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba of ValueJet, the NCAA will restore their licences after a one-month suspension and a mandatory professional re-appraisal.”
Kwam 1 attempted to stop a ValueJet aircraft from moving at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport on 5 August 2025, sparking public outrage. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had imposed an indefinite ban and sought criminal charges, but the singer apologised. Keyamo confirmed that the complaints had been withdrawn and that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) would engage him as an airport security protocol ambassador.
In a related move, the government also withdrew the case against Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson, who had been banned for life and remanded after an altercation with cabin crew. The decision came after public criticism, appeals from prominent figures, and her show of remorse. Keyamo secured agreement from the Airline Operators of Nigeria to lift her lifetime ban.
He has directed aviation agencies to work with other bodies to retrain security personnel on handling disruptive passengers and defusing tense situations.