KWAM 1: Lawyer Drags FG, NCAA, Keyamo, Others to Court, Demands ₦500bn Over Alleged Aviation ‘Special Treatment

Public interest lawyer and activist Ayodele Ademiluyi has filed a ₦500 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and several other high-profile defendants, accusing them of undermining the rule of law in the handling of two separate aviation incidents involving Fuji music legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) and a female passenger, Comfort Emmanson.

The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1632/25, was lodged at the Federal High Court in Lagos and names as respondents KWAM 1, the President of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Minister of Aviation, NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Ibom Air, ValueJet, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Nigerian Police Force, the Governor and Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria.

Addressing journalists on Friday, Ademiluyi—convener of the Movement for Justice and secretary of the Radical Gender Movement—said the case was a public interest action aimed at exposing systemic impunity in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

According to him, the treatment of the two cases reveals a disturbing double standard: while Emmanson was subjected to swift punishment, KWAM 1 allegedly faced no legal repercussions after disrupting a flight.

“Our aviation system needs a complete overhaul,” Ademiluyi declared. “We cannot allow impunity to thrive to the point where someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and walk away without consequence. It is a gross imbalance—no arrest, no arraignment, no prosecution of Mr. KWAM 1. Instead, he was rewarded with a brand ambassadorship for the aviation sector. What message does that send to the public?”

The activist lawyer accused Minister Festus Keyamo of partisanship and demanded a court order of mandamus compelling authorities to take proper action against all parties involved, particularly KWAM 1. “This is not about celebrity status or political connections—it is about the sanctity of the rule of law,” he insisted.

Ademiluyi also criticized the Airline Operators of Nigeria for what he described as an “overreaching” role in the Emmanson case, warning that selective justice threatens the integrity of Nigeria’s legal and aviation systems.

“The central issue remains: KWAM 1 is walking the streets free. That is a big slap on the rule of law. This suit is a landmark opportunity for the court to prove that no individual, no matter their fame or influence, is above the law,” he said.