NCAA Slams Six-Month No-Fly Ban on Fuji Legend K1 de Ultimate Over Airport Misconduct

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has barred Fuji music icon, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 de Ultimate, from flying within Nigeria for six months following an alleged breach of aviation safety protocols at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, Michael Achimugu, announced the sanction on Thursday, vowing that “no one is above the law” when it comes to aviation safety.

“What I must assure the general public is that everybody involved in this will be brought to book. As we speak, the passenger is going to be blacklisted for the next six months flying in Nigeria,” Achimugu told reporters.

NCAA to Press Charges

Achimugu stressed that aviation regulations are universal and non-negotiable, adding that the agency will write to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police to commence legal proceedings against the Fuji star.

When asked whether K1’s close ties with President Bola Tinubu could influence the case, Achimugu responded that both Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, are committed to upholding the rule of law.

Keyamo Orders No-Fly Status Pending Investigation

Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed via his official 𝕏 account on Thursday that he had reviewed official reports and video footage of the incident involving K1 de Ultimate and the crew of ValueJet Airlines on Tuesday, August 7, 2025.

“From all the details so far received, my preliminary impression is that it was obviously a case of temporary loss of sanity and control on both sides, which could have led to serious fatalities,” Keyamo stated.

The minister described the musician’s actions as “akin to a hostage situation”, alleging that K1 “constantly moved his position on the tarmac to actually block the aircraft from taxiing to take position on the runway for take-off”, a move he labelled “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE behaviour.”

Keyamo directed the NCAA to place K1 on a no-fly list, warning that “what applies to the goose must also apply to the gander”, referencing the earlier sanctions on the flight captain and pilot involved.

“All airlines, both domestic and international, should immediately be informed of this directive and anyone who flouts this directive risks withdrawal of their operating licence,” Keyamo warned.

FAAN Confirms Alcohol Dispute Led to Confrontation

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the incident occurred during boarding for ValueJet flight VK 201 to Lagos on Monday, August 5.

According to FAAN, K1 was caught trying to carry a flask containing liquid above the 100ml international limit onto the aircraft. When security personnel insisted on further screening, the musician allegedly refused and spilled the liquid — later confirmed to be alcohol — on a security officer.

K1 de Ultimate Denies Wrongdoing

In a swift reaction, K1, through his media aide Kunle Rasheed, dismissed the allegations as “exaggerated and misleading”.

The statement claimed the flask contained plain drinking water given to him at the airport lounge, and that he had made “respectful efforts” to clarify the issue before it was “unnecessarily escalated”.

“We urge the media and the public to avoid sensationalism and allow the truth — not assumptions — to guide their judgment. K1 remains a law-abiding citizen and continues to cooperate fully with all relevant authorities to ensure that the matter is responsibly resolved,” the statement read.

The aide further alleged that senior airport officials and airline executives personally apologised to the singer, even offering a free private jet ride to Lagos to settle the misunderstanding.

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