Veteran Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, has denied allegations by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) that he violated boarding protocols at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The incident, which occurred on Monday at the Domestic Terminal while K1 was preparing to board a ValueJet flight (VK 201) to Lagos, sparked widespread public attention after the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended the pilots involved over safety concerns.
In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Kunle Rasheed, the Fuji legend described the reports as exaggerated and misleading, saying he neither breached aviation safety regulations nor endangered anyone’s life.
“At no point did K1 act in a manner that endangered lives or breached safety regulations. The substance in question — which was wrongly sensationalised — was nothing more than plain drinking water, given to him at the airport lounge,” Rasheed stated.
He said K1 made efforts to clarify the situation calmly but the issue was unnecessarily escalated. “Claims that K1 blocked the aircraft or attempted to disrupt operations are completely unfounded. As a frequent traveller, both locally and internationally, K1 fully understands and observes aviation protocols,” he added.
According to the statement, top officials of the airline, including the Chairman and Managing Director, later reached out to apologise for the incident. Rasheed said they even offered to arrange a private jet to convey the musician to Lagos at no cost, an offer K1 reportedly declined.
He further stressed that the Fuji maestro was the victim in the incident, as he and his personal assistant were the only ones directly involved. “A few concerned passengers who witnessed the incident appealed to him to remain calm, recognising the undue pressure he was under,” he said.
He appealed to the media and public to refrain from sensationalising the issue and allow the truth to prevail. “K1 remains a law-abiding citizen and continues to cooperate fully with relevant authorities to ensure that the matter is responsibly resolved.”
Meanwhile, FAAN in a separate statement insisted that the musician attempted to board the flight with an unidentified liquid substance despite several warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) and the Flight Captain.
FAAN confirmed that the incident is under investigation and said appropriate actions would be taken against all parties found culpable.
Also reacting, NCAA spokesman, Mr. Michael Achimugu, said the agency is reviewing reports that the artist failed to adhere to pre-departure safety clearance.
Achimugu described the act as reckless and dangerous to ground staff and airport users, stressing that the NCAA is treating the matter with utmost seriousness.
ValueJet also confirmed that the flight crew involved has been removed from duty pending the conclusion of an internal investigation.
K1 has since clarified that the claims of unruly behaviour and carrying alcohol aboard the aircraft were baseless, insisting that the situation was misrepresented.
