Tuesday’s public show of Fuji music icon, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, which Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described as “hostage-taking” has drawn defence from the singer.
Ayinde was disallowed from boarding a ValueJet flight heading to Lagos for having a flask with him said to contain alcohol.
The alcoholic content in the flask according to report is allegedly more than the one a passenger is allowed to board with.
The stance of the flight crew and the security officers at the foot of the aircraft spurred the Fuji star into anger, with video of him with them raining abuses and standing in front of the flight in a failed bid to stop it from taking off going viral.
His actions earned him a six-month no fly ban from the National from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, while the pilot and the co-pilot are also suspended by the agency.
KWAM1 as he is also called has now denied being in possession of alcohol while also pleading for pardon.
Both Ayinde did in a statement he released on Friday in which he wrote: “Contrary to the negative narrative being circulated, the flask contained only water — not alcohol.”
He claimed to have issues with dehydration, and doctor advised him to stay hydrated regularly.
This he explained, informed why he always goes about with flask.
“It was never my intention to cause any disruption or violate aviation protocols.
“My patriotism and loyalty to Nigeria have never been in doubt, and I would never tarnish the image I’ve built over five decades,” the 68 year-old grandfather concluded.
