Fuji legend, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, has accused the pilot of a ValueJet flight of lying against him to protect her flying licence.

The musician, also known as KWAM 1, disclosed this in a press statement clarifying his role in a security breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe airport in Abuja.

Reports had indicated that Kwam 1 held up a ValueJet flight after he was deplaned for unruly behaviour on August 5, 2025.

He had tried to take some liquid in a flask on board, but was stopped by Airport security officials.

When the musician insisted on having his way, he was allegedly barred from continuing with the flight.

In annoyance, the musician allegedly splashed the official with the liquid in his flask, suspected to be alcohol.

The intervention of the female pilot did not help the situation. It indeed worsened it, as the musician reportedly splashed her with the same liquid in contention.

The pilot subsequently ordered the locking of the door and taxied out the plane despite the presence of KWAM 1, his assistant and some security operatives in front of it.

The musician has now offered his defence, claiming that he was not the aggressor, but the victim in the entire episode.

His media aide, Kunle Rasheed, admitted there was an issue between KWAM 1 and ValueJet officials at the airport, but denied he breached any aviation protocol.

The musician claimed the liquid in his flask was ordinary water that he was given at the VIP lounge. He said it was not anything that could compromise the safety of the flight.

K1 said his attempts to explain this to the officials were rebuffed.

He denied blocking the flight from moving out, adding that he was a frequent flyer both locally and internationally. The veteran artiste said he understood and strictly followed aviation protocols.”

Kwam 1 hinted that the ValueJet management, including the Chairman and Managing Director, realised he was the victim, which was why they apologised to him and offered to fly him to Lagos on a private jet.

He argued that if he had conducted himself inappropriately, the Head of Airport Security and other officials from FAAN and NCAA would not have been begging him.

The musician said that despite the pleas of the airline’s top executives, he turned down their offer.

Talking about the pilot, he remarked that her licence had been suspended. KWAM 1 said it was no surprise if she attempted to deflect blame.

‘Surely, she must lie to cover herself up,” the musician said, while appealing to reporters to be responsible in their reportage.

FAAN speaks on ValueJet incident

Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said an inquiry was already being conducted into the incident.

FAAN said its preliminary investigations indicated that booked on the morning flight to Lagos operated by ValueJet Airlines (Flight VK 201).

The authority said the bone of contention was an unidentified liquid substance that the passenger tried to take on board against the advice of Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the Flight Captain.

FAAN clarified that it was an established rule locally and internationally that liquids exceeding 100ml cannot be taken through security screening unless medically necessary and properly declared.

The authority said the passenger was told this, but he rebuffed the officials and splashed an official with the alcohol in the flask.

FAAN said the Flight Captain faced a similar tantrum from the passenger, prompting her to leave him and order the closure of the aircraft door.

The authority said the passenger subsequently refused to leave the front of the plane until he was escorted away by the AVSEC crime unit.

“The Authority will not tolerate any actions that compromise operational integrity or undermine aviation safety standards, regardless of the individuals involved, FAAN said in its statement.

Suspension of ValueJet pilots

In a related development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the two pilots involved in the incident.

NCAA’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said in a statement that the pilots violated safety protocols during the incident.

NCAA said a video of the incident showed the aircraft taxiing from its bay while some ground staff were in close proximity.

This, according to the NCAA, was an indication that the aircraft was not cleared to depart.

See the viral video of the incident here.