The Federal Government has taken a reconciliatory approach toward Fuji maestro, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly called KWAM 1, by reducing his flight ban and enlisting him as an airport security protocol ambassador.
Announcing the decision on Wednesday, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had revised its sanction from six months to a single month. The musician will now work with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to enlighten travellers on appropriate airport behaviour.
“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 earlier lodged with the police,” the minister’s statement noted.
The August 5 fracas, in which KWAM 1 allegedly carried a prohibited flask, spilled liquid on airport personnel, and stepped onto the tarmac to hinder a ValueJet aircraft, had initially attracted severe penalties. He has since apologised, clarifying that the flask contained water for health reasons.
Keyamo stressed that this show of leniency was granted on “compassionate grounds” without compromising aviation safety regulations.