- The authorities withdrew criminal complaint after singer’s public apology and clarification over flask contents.
- The incident involved confrontation with airport staff and alleged obstruction of aircraft movement.
The minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, has said the federal government will appoint Fuji singer Wasiu Ayinde Marshal as an ambassador for airport security.
Ayinde, also known as Kwam 1, recently faced sanctions over his conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Keyamo said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had decided to shorten the musician’s flight ban to one month as part of the resolution process.
He explained that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria would work directly with the artiste to promote proper conduct within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
“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,” the minister said.
He added that the NCAA would also withdraw its criminal complaint after Kwam 1 publicly demonstrated remorse for the August 5 incident.
Keyamo said the decision followed appeals from prominent individuals and the singer’s public apology, which addressed claims that he carried alcohol in a flask.
The artiste maintained the container held water for medical reasons, not alcohol, and denied attempting to disrupt aircraft movement deliberately.
Authorities had earlier accused him of spilling the contents on security staff, walking onto the tarmac, and blocking a ValueJet aircraft from taxiing.
The NCAA described the actions as a breach of aviation safety rules and initially placed him on a six-month no-fly list.
Keyamo stressed that the clemency was granted purely on compassionate grounds and warned that safety laws would still be strictly enforced.
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