A leaked audio recording has revealed Fuji music star Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, also known as K1 De Ultimate, criticizing ValueJet Airlines over what he described as humiliating treatment despite his health condition. He vowed never to travel with the airline again and warned its owner, Kunle Soname, that he would feel the impact in his business dealings.
In the audio, K1 said, “My name is Wasiu Ayinde. Nobody treats me like that and gets away with it. I didn’t cut in line, yet I was told I couldn’t board. I will never take that airline again. Soname will feel it in his business.”
The singer explained that the incident started when he asked for water due to his medical needs. “I told them I am a patient who needs constant hydration. If you are fair, you will understand that. Instead, someone was told not to let me board. The situation escalated, people gathered, and I opened my flask to show it was just water,” he said.
K1 also claimed the staff’s actions amounted to disrespect for Soname himself. “How can you embarrass me, someone who stands for your boss, in public? I warned them not to make it a national issue,” he added.
The musician stressed that his reaction was purely for health reasons, noting, “I am a dehydrated patient. I had surgery on May 5.”
The audio came to light shortly after K1 issued a public apology over a confrontation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on August 5, 2025. In his statement, he called the incident “unfortunate” and denied claims that his flask contained alcohol.
“I suffer from chronic dehydration, and my doctor advised me to stay constantly hydrated. My flask contained only water,” he said. “I apologize to the Presidency, the Ministry of Aviation, FAAN, NCAA, ValueJet, and Nigerians. I never intended to disrupt operations or break aviation rules.”
The apology followed reports that Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed K1’s suspension from both local and international flights due to the tarmac standoff.
Keyamo, after reviewing reports and video evidence, described the incident as a “temporary loss of control on both sides” that could have led to serious consequences.
“Contrary to what his aides said, he repeatedly moved on the tarmac to block the aircraft from taxiing. That is totally unacceptable and amounts to a hostage situation,” the minister said. “Whether the flask contained water or alcohol is not the main issue—it’s that he physically obstructed the plane.”
The minister also criticized the pilot for taxiing without ensuring security had cleared the obstruction, concluding that both the artist and the airline’s staff violated aviation safety regulations.
