Nigerian entertainer Freedom Atsepoyi, known as Mr Jollof, has spoken publicly for the first time after his clash with online activist VeryDarkMan during a United Nigeria Airlines flight.
Both men were seen in a viral video exchanging blows on a flight said to be heading from Asaba to Lagos. The clip showed passengers trying to calm the situation as the two men struggled inside the aircraft aisle.
VeryDarkMan later confirmed the fight on his Facebook page, saying he had dealt with Mr Jollof. He also shared another video where he lifted his shirt to show bite marks on his chest.
In a new Instagram video, Mr Jollof apologised to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, United Nigeria Airlines and passengers who were on the flight. He said he was not a violent person and only acted in self-defence.
He said, “I want to use this medium to sincerely apologise to the NCAA, United Nigeria Airlines, and the passengers that boarded the airline. I was only defending myself. You guys saw what happened, and I am very sorry if I delayed your appointment. Pardon me. This isn’t my kind of person. It will never happen again.”
He also addressed his family, adding, “To my lovely wife, I know you’re proud of me. To my kids, I am sorry, Daddy will never do this again. To my boss, I am very sorry, this isn’t my kind of person.”
He then stressed, “Please note, I am not a violent person and I promise such character will never occur again. Although I was under attack, I defended myself. Promise made, promise kept.”
The clash comes after a long history of disputes between both men. Last year, Mr Jollof filed a lawsuit against VeryDarkMan over comments made about his wife, demanding an apology and five hundred million naira in damages. Instead of apologising, VeryDarkMan went to Mr Jollof’s comment section and insulted him in pidgin.
When VeryDarkMan was later arrested, Mr Jollof celebrated online, saying the activist had been threatening to beat him up and that the arrest was deserved.
The NCAA reacted to the fight on Monday. In an X post, the authority’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said their behaviour breached aviation rules.
He wrote, “There is no tolerance for unruly behaviour aboard an aircraft. Both individuals will face the full strength of the law,” adding that it was “even more shameful” because of their influence on millions of followers.
Achimugu said the airline would submit a formal report, after which regulatory steps would begin. He explained, “The actions of both men put the safety of all other passengers and the crew at risk. It also put the safety of the aircraft at risk.”
He also noted that the agency had spent a lot on public education. “The NCAA has exerted a lot of energy and resources in educating passengers about the dangers of unruly behaviour and its consequences. In this case, no matter what led to the fracas, there is no excuse that makes it acceptable,” he said.
