The Nigeria Police Force has begun a probe of Fuji music veteran Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, better known as KWAM1, after the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) accused him of obstructing the safe operation of a commercial aircraft at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The NCAA had earlier moved against KWAM1, President Bola Tinubu’s ally, imposing a six-month ban on him from flying on any Nigerian carrier. The agency also announced the suspension of the pilot and co-pilot on duty that day, saying their roles in the incident would be reviewed for possible violations of aviation protocols.

In its petition to the police, the NCAA said the singer’s conduct breached the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023, and posed a threat to the safety of passengers and crew. The agency described the sanctions as a necessary deterrent “to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation safety framework.”

Hours after receiving the petition, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, directed the commissioner of police in charge of the Airport command to open a full investigation.

In a Tuesday night statement, Force spokesman, DSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the IGP wanted a “thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances which led to the ugly incident and ensure justice is served accordingly.”

Mr. Adejobi, in his statement, said the police would handle the KWAM 1 investigation “with transparency” and in collaboration with the NCAA. The probe is expected to include witness statements from passengers and crew, reviews of CCTV footage from the airport, examination of flight data, and interviews with airline officials. The outcome will determine whether criminal charges will be filed against the Fuji musician.

KWAM 1, a well-known loyalist of Mr. Tinubu and prominent performer at All Progressives Congress (APC) political rallies and private presidential functions, issued a statement apologising to the airline, the pilot, Nigerians, and the authorities. He described his behaviour as “regrettable” and pledged to “exercise utmost decorum in future travels.”

The investigation has drawn public interest not only because of KWAM 1’s celebrity status but also due to accusations of double standards in Nigeria’s justice system.

Critics have recalled the recent ordeal of another air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, who was arrested aboard an Ibom Air flight over alleged unruly behaviour, arraigned almost immediately, and remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.

The Nigerian Bar Association condemned Ms. Emmanson’s detention as “unlawful and excessive” and announced it would provide her with free legal representation. Many Nigerians have pointed to the swiftness and severity of her prosecution compared to the more measured official response in KWAM 1’s case, despite both incidents involving alleged breaches of aviation safety rules.

The NCAA has insisted that its sanctions will remain in force until the conclusion of both its internal inquiry and the police investigation. The regulator also hinted at further industry-wide enforcement actions to ensure that “aviation safety is not compromised by the influence or status of any passenger.”