Prominent Nigerian lawyer and rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, has criticised what he described as blatant double standards in how Nigerian aviation authorities are handling two recent high-profile incidents involving unruly airline passengers.
Farotimi’s comments come in the wake of separate controversies involving Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (popularly known as K1 De Ultimate) and a female passenger, Comfort Emmanson, both accused of misconduct at Nigerian airports.
On August 5, Kwam 1 was accused of attempting to board a ValueJet flight in Abuja with an unidentified liquid—later confirmed to be alcohol.
According to reports, he poured the liquid on a security officer and delayed the aircraft’s departure by blocking it from taxiing to the runway.
In response, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police, requesting his prosecution.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo also placed the musician on a temporary no-fly list.
In addition, the licences of two ValueJet pilots were suspended.
Kwam 1, however, denied any wrongdoing, claiming the liquid was merely bottled water given to him in the lounge.
He has since issued an apology, although Minister Keyamo insisted that video evidence confirmed he had interfered with aircraft operations, calling his actions “completely unacceptable.”
“All those involved must face appropriate sanctions,” Keyamo declared.
In contrast, just five days later, on August 10, Comfort Emmanson was arrested and quickly remanded in Kirikiri Prison following an altercation on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos.
She reportedly refused to switch off her phone before takeoff, and upon landing, physically assaulted airline staff and security personnel.
Ibom Air has since banned Emmanson for life, pending the conclusion of investigations.
Reacting to the discrepancy between the two cases, Farotimi took to X (formerly Twitter), posting:
“Kwam 1 dey house, Kwam 2 dey Kirikiri. It’s just another day in paradise.”
He used the post to highlight what he views as selective enforcement of justice, mocking the stark contrast in treatment between the veteran musician and the civilian passenger.
Farotimi’s sentiments were echoed by Paul Ibe, spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who also questioned why Kwam 1 was not “bundled out” like Emmanson, hinting at possible political protection.
Despite the backlash, the NCAA maintains that it upholds a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of disruptive passenger behaviour.
Yet, the differing outcomes in the two incidents have sparked widespread debate over the credibility and fairness of disciplinary actions within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
