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Emirates airline suspends operations in Nigeria over $85m trapped funds

 

Eyewitness reporter 

From September 1st, 2022, Emirates airlines will cease to operate flight operations in and out of Nigeria.

The beleaguered airline said the operational environment in Nigeria is suffocating as its $85 million is still trapped in the country.
In addition, the airline said the unavailability of foreign exchange has complicated an already bad situation.
In a press statement made available to newsmen, the airline said it will stop its operation indefinitely starting from September, 1st 2022 till after it was able to repatriate its trapped fund.

It could be recalled that Emirate airline had cut down on its weekly number of flights into Lagos from 11 to seven over US$85 million of funds awaiting repatriation from Nigeria.

The airline said the figure has been rising by more than $US10 million every month, as the ongoing operational costs of our 11 weekly flights to Lagos and 5 to Abuja continue to accumulate.

They, however, said that the trapped funds are urgently needed to meet operational costs and maintain the commercial viability of their services to Nigeria.

“We simply cannot continue to operate at the current level in the face of mounting losses, especially in the challenging post-COVID-19 climate. Emirates did try to stem the losses by proposing to pay for fuel in Nigeria in Naira, which would have at least reduced one element of our ongoing costs, however, this request was denied by the supplier,” the airline had said.

However, with no considerable improvement and headway in repatriating the trapped fund, the airline, on Thursday, announced the suspension of its operations in Nigeria indefinitely.

The statement reads, “Emirates has tried every avenue to address our ongoing challenges in repatriating funds from Nigeria, and we have made considerable efforts to initiate dialogue with the relevant authorities for their urgent intervention to help find a viable solution.

“Regrettably there has been no progress. Therefore, Emirates has taken the difficult decision to suspend all flights to and from Nigeria, effective 1st September 2022, to limit further losses and impact on our operational costs that continue to accumulate in the market.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our customers, however, the circumstances are beyond our control at this stage. We will be working to help impacted customers make alternative travel arrangements wherever possible.”

“Should there be any positive developments in the coming days regarding Emirates’ blocked funds in Nigeria, we will of course re-evaluate our decision. We remain keen to serve Nigeria, and our operations provide much-needed connectivity for Nigerian travelers, providing access to trade and tourism opportunities to Dubai, and to our broader network of over 130 destinations.”

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Aviation

FG rewards airport misconduct of KWAM 1 with juicy contract of music ambassador of FAAN

— withdraws criminal charges against the music star, pardons Comfort Emmanson 
Funso OLOJO 
In a curious twist of events, the Federal government has withdrawn the Criminal case filed against the Fuji Music Star, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall otherwise known as KWAM 1 over his unruly conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In addition, government has rewarded the Fuji crooner with a juicy contract as official music Ambassador of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria(FAAN).
His six- month flight ban has also been reduced to one month.
 Similarly, the Federal government has directed that the same prerogative of mercy be extended to Ms Comfort Emmanson, the unruly passenger of Ibom Air flight.
Consequently, the government has directed that Emmanson, who was remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison since Sunday, August 10th,2025 when the incident happened, should be released while her life flight ban should be reviewed and mitigated.
These were part of the decisions taken by the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.
In a public statement personally signed by the Minister, the mercies shown to the two unruly passengers were purely on compassionate ground which should not be taken as a compromise on aviation security and airport protocols.
” In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent.
“Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public.
” If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.
“As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and those available to the public.
“It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.
“Therefore, after reviewing the entire incidents, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors, the following decisions have been reached:
” In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against her today.
“When the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.
” Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.
“I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed.
” The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.
” In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period.
” FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
” Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.
” In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of VALUEJET, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA” the Aviation Minister directed.
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Aviation

KWAM 1 risks two years imprisonment over Abuja Airport incident

— as NCAA petitions Attorney- General, IGP to prosecute popular musician
Funso OLOJO
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has asked the Attorney General of the Federation(AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi and the Inspector General of Police(IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to prosecute Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, otherwise known as KWAM 1 over his unruly behaviour at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday August 5th, 2025.
It could be recalled that the popular Fuji musician obstructed the movement of a Lagos – bound Value jet aircraft from taxing and take-off on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025.
The incident, which drew widespread condemnation, has earned the pilot of the aircraft a suspension by the aviation regulatory agency while the unruly passenger(KWAM 1) has been banned from flying from any of Nigeria’s airports for six months.
However, NCAA, the aviation sector watchdog in Nigeria, was pressing for the prosecution of the star musician in its petition to both the AGF and IGP.
According to the statement signed by Michael Achimugu , Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, the agency said it wanted the incident investigated and the unruly passenger prosecuted.
“NCAA officially petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police to launch a thorough investigation into the incident involving musician, King Wasiu Omagbolahan Olasunkanmi Adewale Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate and domestic airline ValueJet.
“The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, 5th August 2025, reportedly disrupted standard operational procedures and raised concerns over passenger conduct and airline safety protocols.
“According to preliminary reports, during a scheduled ValueJet flight VK201, K1 De Ultimate was allegedly involved in actions that violate the Nigeria Civil Aviation regulations.
“While full details of the incident are still being compiled, the NCAA has emphasized the importance of upholding aviation safety standards and ensuring accountability, regardless of the parties involved.
“In a letter addressed to both the Attorney-General and the Inspector-General of Police, the NCAA called for a comprehensive criminal investigation and the initiation of appropriate prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023 supra and all other applicable laws.
“Furthermore, and in light of the growing concern, the Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, has also issued an advisory to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), urging the immediate consideration and institution of a No-Fly List for K1 De Ultimate(on any commercial flight), pending the outcome of official investigations.
“This advisory is in line with global aviation standards that prioritize the safety of passengers, crew, and airline operations.
“The NCAA reiterates its commitment to ensuring that no individual, regardless of their status or public image, undermines the integrity of our aviation industry as passengers are held to the same standards of behavior and compliance within Nigeria’s airspace” the statement declared.
Under the Nigeria’s aviation laws, obstruction of an aircraft is a criminal offence.
Earlier this year, NCAA charged a female Ibom Air passenger to court for obstructing flight operations due to her unruly conduct.
While addressing the issue,the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, stated thus” The regulations state firmly that no provocation justifies violence at the airport.
” Certain acts, especially holding up the movement of an aircraft through means of violence, could be interpreted as terrorism depending on severity(to be determined by the police)”
Under the criminal Code Act which applies to the Southern part of Nigeria, obstructing the movement of an aircraft is an offence.
According to section 459A of the criminal Code Act, it states ” Any person who, by any unlawful act, obstructs, causes an altercation to be made in the course of, or in any way whatsoever hinders or impedes the movement of an aircraft, which is in motion or in flight over any aerodrome, is guilty of misdemeanor and is liable to imprisonment for TWO YEARS”
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Aviation

News Alert! FG slams 6 months no- fly sanction on Fuji star singer, KWAM 1 over Abuja Airport incident 

Funso OLOJO 

The Nigerian government through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has blacklisted popular Nigerian Fuji singer, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, known by stage name KWAM .

He was blacklisted on Thursday, August 7th, 2025 for 6 months following his fracas with the ValueJet Airline at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday, August 6th, 2025.

According to FAAN, preliminary investigations confirmed that the passenger(KWAM 1) was scheduled to board the morning flight to Lagos operated by ValueJet Airlines (Flight VK 201).

During boarding, the passenger attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance on board despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the Flight Captain, FAAN explained.

FAAN stated that in accordance with international aviation security standards—specifically, Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and ICAO Annex 17—liquids exceeding 100ml “are not permitted through security screening unless medically necessary and properly declared.”

It said the passenger was informed of this regulation but reportedly declined to comply.

While the boarding continued, an airline security officer was said to have asked the musician to step aside for further clarification.

However, the passenger allegedly refused and spilled the content of the flask on the officer, which turned out to be alcohol.

The statement added, “The Flight Captain intervened but faced similar resistance. After confirming that boarding was complete, she instructed the closure of the aircraft door”

However, the popular Fuji musician allegedly attempted to obstruct the take- off of the aircraft by standing in front of the machine but had to hurriedly scamper out of the way of the moving aircraft when it was obvious that the pilot, who was apparently angry, attempted to run him over.
The NCAA has since suspended the pilot for unethical practice.
Aviation experts said the six months sanction slammed of the Fuji crooner is tantamount to putting him on no- fly list that will debar him from flying for six months from any of Nigeria’s airports.

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