Public interest lawyer Ayodele Ademiluyi has filed a N500 billion suit against the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and several others, accusing them of double standards in handling separate aviation incidents involving music star King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal and passenger Comfort Emmanson.
The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1632/25, was lodged at the Federal High Court in Lagos. Those named as respondents include the President, Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, NCAA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Ibom Air, ValueJet, Nigerian Correctional Service, King Wasiu, Nigerian Police Force, Akwa Ibom State Governor, the state’s Attorney-General, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Ademiluyi, who is also convener of the Movement for Justice and Secretary of the Radical Gender Movement, said the case was about protecting public interest and exposing weaknesses in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
“Our aviation system needs a complete overhaul. We cannot allow impunity to reign or degenerate into a banana republic where someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and walk away without consequence,” he said.
The lawyer alleged that while Emmanson faced swift punitive action over her incident, King Wasiu faced no legal repercussions.
“It’s a gross imbalance. There was no arrest, no arraignment, no prosecution of Mr. KWAM 1. In fact, he was rewarded with a brand ambassadorship for the aviation sector. What message does that send to the public?” Ademiluyi asked.
He said appointing the musician as a brand ambassador was inappropriate. “If someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and be appointed a brand ambassador, it sends the wrong signal,” he said.
Ademiluyi also accused Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo of bias. “We are asking for an order of mandamus to compel relevant authorities to take proper action against those involved, particularly Mr. KWAM 1. This is not about celebrity status or political connections — it’s about the sanctity of the rule of law,” he said.
Criticising the Airline Operators of Nigeria’s role in Emmanson’s case, he said their actions were overreaching. “The central issue remains: Mr. Kwam 1 is walking the streets free. That is a big slap on the rule of law. The suit we have filed is a public interest action. The collective interest of the polity is at stake,” he said.
