Basirat Marshal, daughter of renowned Fuji icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, has spoken out in defense of her father following allegations that he breached aviation regulations by carrying alcohol aboard a commercial flight.
What Really Happened: FAAN vs. K1 De Ultimate
On Wednesday, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) alleged that the 68-year-old musician violated aviation protocols by bringing an alcoholic beverage aboard ValueJet Airlines Flight VK 201, a morning flight headed to Lagos.
According to Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s spokesperson, the incident occurred during the boarding process and was flagged by flight attendants. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) later weighed in, stating that the action was in clear violation of airline safety rules.
As a consequence, the NCAA blacklisted K1 De Ultimate for six months, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the artist’s conduct as “unacceptable”, warning that such behavior could have led to dire consequences.
Damilola Defends Her Father, Calls Claims “False”
In a swift and emotional response on Thursday, K1’s daughter Basirat Marshal, also known as Damilola and currently serving as the Senior Special Assistant on Tourism to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, took to Instagram to address the issue.
“I don’t know why a reputable agency would lie that water is alcohol. I don’t know when K1 became a magician who turns water into alcohol,” she wrote.
She further emphasized that her father is known for carrying water in his signature flask everywhere he goes, questioning why officials were suddenly raising concerns over an item he has always used.
K1 Denies Allegations, Clarifies Incident
Through his media aide Kunle Rasheed, K1 De Ultimate issued a formal statement denying the allegations. He stated clearly that the flask contained only water, not alcohol, and dismissed the claims as exaggerated and misleading.
K1 portrayed himself as the actual victim in the incident and accused FAAN and NCAA of miscommunication and poor judgment. He also revealed that after realizing the mistake, officials from FAAN, NCAA, and ValueJet Airlines apologized for the mix-up.
According to K1, ValueJet even went as far as offering a private jet to fly him to Lagos as an apology, an offer he respectfully declined despite repeated pleas from top executives.
Pilots Suspended Over the Incident
Following the fallout, the NCAA suspended two pilots from ValueJet Airlines: Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba, though no official statement has been released regarding the internal disciplinary actions taken by the airline.
A Case of Miscommunication or Misconduct?
This incident has sparked debate on aviation protocol enforcement, celebrity treatment, and the reliability of aviation authorities. While FAAN and NCAA have maintained their stance publicly, the alleged private apologies and the airline’s offer of a private jet may suggest there was more to the story than initially reported.
It raises important questions:
- Are aviation authorities too quick to penalize without thorough investigation?
- Are celebrities being targeted unfairly or given preferential treatment?
- What measures can be put in place to prevent public misinformation in aviation incidents?
Conclusion
As the dust settles, the controversy surrounding K1 De Ultimate’s alleged alcohol incident continues to draw public attention. With conflicting narratives from both parties and a visible fallout affecting airline staff, many Nigerians are calling for greater transparency, fairness, and due process in handling such high-profile matters.
This situation also underscores the importance of accurate public communication and the need for aviation authorities to build trust through clear and consistent actions.
