The National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to forgive Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as Kwam 1, over his recent sanction for alleged breaches of aviation regulations.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had accused the 68-year-old musician of violating domestic flight rules while boarding ValueJet Airlines’ morning service (Flight VK 201) to Lagos.

According to FAAN’s spokesperson, Obiageli Orah, Kwam 1 was alleged to have brought alcohol on board the aircraft, a practice prohibited on domestic flights in Nigeria.

The situation reportedly escalated into an altercation with a flight attendant during the boarding process.

The Incident prompted swift intervention from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Both authorities imposed a six-month no-fly ban on the musician, restricting him from both domestic and international flights pending further investigation.

NCAA’s ban also extended to the pilot involved in the flight, identified as Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, who was accused of mishandling certain aspects of the incident. The suspension was widely discussed in aviation and entertainment circles, sparking mixed reactions from fans and industry stakeholders.

In a statement shared via his Instagram page on Monday, MC Oluomo called for leniency and understanding from the president, the aviation minister, and the NCAA. He urged them to temper justice with mercy and consider lifting the ban placed on Kwam 1.

MC Oluomo’s statement partly read: “To His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I, Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers of Nigeria (NURTW), humbly and fervently appeal to you to exercise mercy and forgiveness towards Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1). Like a prodigal son, K1 has acknowledged his mistakes, is sincerely apologetic, and is willing to make amends.

“I respectfully and earnestly request that the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo, SAN, consider tempering justice with mercy by lifting the ban imposed on K1 and the pilot, Oluranti Ogoyi, following the incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport’s local wing in Abuja.” (Nigerian Tribune)