Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana has criticised the Federal Government over its handling of the case involving Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, saying it has undermined its moral authority to prosecute unruly air passengers.
In a statement on Wednesday, Falana faulted the government’s decision to accept KWAM 1’s apology and grant him pardon without allowing police investigations into his alleged misconduct at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to be concluded.
He alleged that the government’s refusal to charge KWAM 1 with criminal offences led to the withdrawal of charges against Comfort Emmanson, a passenger accused of unruly behaviour aboard an Ibom Air flight.
“Since citizens have equal rights, obligations, and opportunities before the law, the Federal Government will henceforth be accused of subjecting any unruly passenger to discriminatory treatment on the ground that KWAM 1 was ‘pardoned’ without any criminal trial whatsoever,” Falana said.
The SAN noted that the allegations against KWAM 1 included pouring the contents of a flask on a pilot, a security officer, and some passengers. He added that the government’s plan to engage the musician as an ambassador for airport security protocols, despite the unresolved case, further eroded public trust.
Falana maintained that such selective treatment sends the wrong message and weakens enforcement against unruly conduct in Nigerian airports.
