Public interest lawyer, Ayodele Ademiluyi, has filed a N500 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and several other entities, accusing them of violating the rule of law in their handling of two separate aviation incidents involving music legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) and passenger Comfort Emmanson.
The suit, registered as FHC/L/CS/1632/25 at the Federal High Court in Lagos, lists as respondents: the President of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo (SAN), NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Ibom Air, ValueJet, the Nigerian Correctional Service, King Wasiu Ayinde, the Nigerian Police Force, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the state’s Attorney-General, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria.
Addressing journalists on Friday, Ademiluyi, who is also the convener of the Movement for Justice and Secretary of the Radical Gender Movement, said the action was taken in defence of public interest and to ensure accountability among aviation stakeholders.
He stressed that the matter highlights deeper systemic flaws beyond the individuals involved, faulting what he described as a glaring difference in how both cases were treated.
According to him, while KWAM 1 faced no sanctions, Emmanson was swiftly punished.
“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.
“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?” he said.
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Ademiluyi insisted that making the Fuji star a brand ambassador was wrong.
“If someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and be appointed a brand ambassador, it sends the wrong signal,” he said.
The lawyer further accused the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, of bias, stating: “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 added.
Ademiluyi also took a swipe at the Airline Operators of Nigeria for what he described as overreaching conduct in the Emmanson case.
“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.
He urged the court to seize the opportunity to affirm that no one, no matter how influential, is above the law.
