FG, NCAA Face ₦500bn Lawsuit Over “Special Treatment” for KWAM1

Public interest lawyer Ayodele Ademiluyi has filed a ₦500 billion suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos against the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and others.

Alleging gross violation of the rule of law in two aviation incidents involving music star King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal and passenger Comfort Emmanson.

The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1632/25, lists multiple respondents including the President, Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo (SAN), NCAA, FAAN, Ibom Air, ValueJet, Nigerian Correctional Service, KWAM 1, the Nigerian Police, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, the state’s Attorney-General, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria.

At a Friday briefing, Ademiluyi, convener of the Movement for Justice, said the case seeks to protect public interest and expose systemic flaws.

He accused authorities of giving preferential treatment to KWAM 1 — who allegedly faced no legal consequences — while Emmanson was swiftly sanctioned.

“Our aviation system cannot allow impunity to thrive. There was no arrest, arraignment, or prosecution of KWAM 1. Instead, he was made a brand ambassador. That sends the wrong signal,” he said, also accusing the aviation minister of bias.

Ademiluyi insisted that rewarding the musician with an ambassadorial role 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.

He also accused the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, of taking sides, stating, “We are asking for an order of mandamus to compel relevant authorities to take proper action against those involved, particularly Mr. KWAM 1.

The lawyer criticised the Airline Operators of Nigeria’s handling of the Emmanson matter, describing their role as overreaching, saying, “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.

Ademiluyi urged the court to compel action against all involved, insisting the matter is not about celebrity status but the integrity of the rule of law.

Calling the suit a public interest action, he said it should affirm that no individual is above accountability.