Airport Drama Update: Kwam 1 Now Airport Ambassador, ValuJet Pilot Licence Restored And Ibom Air Passenger Get Pardon

The Federal Government has ordered the reduction of the indefinite no-fly ban imposed on Kwam 1 to one month and the restoration of the licenses of the pilot and co-pilot involved in the ValueJet airline incident after a one-month suspension.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, announced the decisions on Wednesday following consultations with stakeholders in the aviation sector.

Keyamo wrote, “In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to one month”.

“In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal,” the minister’s statement read in part. “The details will be announced by the NCAA.”

According to the minister, the resolutions were reached after reviewing the incidents, considering appeals from well-meaning individuals, and considering the remorse shown by those involved.

Recall that on August 5, 2025, the singer attempted to stop a ValueJet aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, from moving.

The move attracted backlash from Nigerians, following which the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) placed an indefinite no-fly ban on Kwam 1.

Immediately after the incident, the NCAA wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, seeking a “comprehensive criminal investigation and the initiation of appropriate prosecution” against the singer, an ally of President Bola Tinubu.

The singer later apologised for the incident, but Keyamo announced that the criminal complaints lodged against Kwam have been withdrawn, and he will be engaged as an airport security protocol ambassador.

“FAAN will also work with the music star to engage him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward,” the minister wrote.

Keyamo revealed that Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint against Ms. Emmanson, who was arrested over the August 10 incident.

“When the Police took her statement in the presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct,” he said.

Following the withdrawal, the Airport Command and the police prosecutor will take steps to secure her release from Kirikiri Prison this week.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria has also agreed to lift the lifetime flying ban placed on her, with details to be announced soon.

“After the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week,” the former Minister of State for the Niger Delta said.

“I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the lifetime flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by AON subsequently.”

Keyamo announced that a retreat will be held next week to retrain aviation security personnel on managing disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations. Airlines will also have dedicated sessions to address staff conduct towards travellers.

The minister stressed that the clemencies were granted purely on compassionate grounds, adding:

“Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically motivated views, or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws is involved. We have decided to draw a line after these clemencies.”

Also, recall that on Sunday, August 10, 2025, Emmanson was removed from an Ibom Air flight from Lagos to Uyo after refusing to turn off her phone as instructed by crew members.

The situation escalated when she became physically aggressive, striking a flight attendant, and had to be restrained and escorted off the aircraft at Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

In response, Ibom Air imposed a lifetime ban on her from both local and international flights, citing its zero-tolerance policy toward violent or disruptive behaviour.