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Kwam 1, Emmanson Case Lands FG In N500bn Lawsuit

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A Lagos-based public interest lawyer, Ayodele Ademiluyi, has instituted a N500 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and multiple other defendants over what he termed a blatant disregard for the rule of law in the handling of two separate aviation-related incidents involving Fuji legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1) and passenger Ms. Comfort Emmanson.

The matter, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos under suit number FHC/L/CS/1632/25, names a wide range of respondents.

These include the President of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo (SAN), NCAA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Ibom Air, ValueJet, the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Akwa Ibom Attorney-General, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

READ MORE: FG Orders Aviation Security Overhaul After Series of Airport Misconduct Cases

Addressing journalists, Ademiluyi who also serves as convener of the Movement for Justice and secretary of the Radical Gender Movement explained that the legal action was taken to “enforce accountability” and safeguard the public interest.

“Our aviation system needs a complete overhauling. 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,” he declared.

Ademiluyi alleged a glaring case of unequal treatment between the two individuals at the centre of the controversy. According to him, while Ms. Emmanson was immediately sanctioned, Kwam 1 faced no punitive measures.

“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 queried.

The lawyer described the appointment of the Fuji musician as a brand ambassador as “inappropriate” and damaging to the credibility of the aviation industry. “If someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and be appointed a brand ambassador, it sends the wrong signal,” he stressed.

He also accused the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, of acting “in a manner unbecoming of his office,” claiming the minister appeared to speak on behalf of one of the airlines involved instead of ensuring the law was enforced.

“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,” Ademiluyi emphasised.

On the handling of Ms. Emmanson’s case, he faulted the Airline Operators of Nigeria for initially imposing a life ban on her, saying the group had acted as “complainant, prosecutor and judge” before later reversing the decision.

“The central issue remains: Mr. Kwam 1 is walking the streets free. That is a big slap on the rule of law,” he said. “The suit we have filed is a public interest action. The collective interest of the polity is at stake.”

Ademiluyi called on the judiciary to use the case as a benchmark to reaffirm that no one, regardless of influence or status, is beyond the reach of justice.

 

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Showunmi Urges South-East to Judge Tinubu by Projects, Not Propaganda

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Otunba Segun Showunmi, a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for 2027, has urged the South-East to assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration based on verifiable projects and measurable results rather than political propaganda.

Showunmi made the call in a statement posted on X on Saturday, urging Nigerians to evaluate the government’s performance based on infrastructure delivery, funds committed to projects and their impact on communities.

He said federal infrastructure initiatives targeting the South-East under Tinubu’s administration deserved serious scrutiny and factual assessment, adding that unfulfilled promises should continue to be pursued until the expected results were delivered.

SEE ALSO: 2027 Election: ‘Look Beyond the Noise’ – Showunmi Urges Nigerians to Give Tinubu More Time

“Our message is clear: We will not trade facts for propaganda, nor accountability for political loyalty!” he said.

The political figure challenged critics of the administration to provide evidence to support their claims, while urging those defending the government to present the projects and demonstrate their impact.

He also called on government officials to publish relevant figures, disclose project timelines and provide measurable results, insisting that no public official should be exempt from scrutiny.

According to Showunmi, the South-East deserves infrastructure that supports economic growth, including roads that connect markets, investments that create jobs and policies that expand economic opportunities.

He maintained that political representation must translate into tangible benefits for citizens, stressing that public office should deliver value to the people.

As part of his call to action, Showunmi urged Nigerians to scrutinise government records, challenge misinformation with evidence and demand the completion of outstanding projects.

He further called for public commitments to be matched by measurable delivery, arguing that leadership should be assessed by facts and results rather than political rhetoric.

Ending his statement with the slogan, “Asiwaju is a goal,” Showunmi called for accountability and greater inclusion of the South-East in Nigeria’s development.

Showunmi is associated with The Alternative and is a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections.

 

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Lagos: LASTMA Announces Traffic Restrictions Along Route to Toll Gate

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The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Saturday announced a temporary road closure near Apostolic Church, inward Toll Gate, to allow engineers to install a beam on a height-restriction structure.

The agency said the installation was aimed at preventing high-rise trailers from accessing the newly constructed pedestrian bridge.

ALSO READ: LASTMA Alerts Motorists to Traffic Delays on Ogunnusi Road

“Currently, one lane has been occupied to facilitate the ongoing construction work, while the remaining two lanes are available to motorists,” LASTMA stated.

The agency advised road users to approach the affected corridor with caution and follow the directions of its personnel deployed to the area.

“Road users are advised to approach the affected corridor with caution and follow the directions of our personnel who are on ground to ensure the smooth flow of vehicular movement,” the statement added.

LASTMA also urged motorists to remain patient while the installation work continued.

“Motorists are encouraged to exercise patience while the installation work is in progress,” the agency stated.

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‘Oseni Rufai Helped Me, Not NiDCOM’ — Ekene Chukwuma on Return to Nigeria

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Nigerian national Ekene Chukwuma has said he returned to Nigeria with assistance linked to Oseni Rufai rather than the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), while renewing allegations against the commission’s chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, over his travel documents.

Chukwuma made the remarks in an interview in which he explained how he returned to Nigeria after spending months at a deportation camp in India.

RELATED NEWS: Rufai Oseni Row: NiDCOM Breaks Silence on Nigerians Detained in India, Addresses Ekene’s Case

“My name is Kenneth Chukwu, from Enugu State,” he said, introducing himself before explaining how he returned to the country.

“I came back here with the assist of Osini Roufai, a good friend of him,” he said.

Chukwuma denied that NiDCOM facilitated his return, alleging that the commission had published false information about his case.

“NiDCOM made a lots of false, uh, news acquisition against me, which is still in Abike Dabiri handle in Twitter,” he said.

He also accused Dabiri-Erewa of sharing his expired international passport and a travel certificate he claimed was issued six months after he entered the detention camp.

“He also, she also posted my international passport that expired. He also, she also posted my TC that issued after 6 months,” he said.

His comments renew questions surrounding the handling of his case and the circumstances under which he obtained the documents needed to return to Nigeria.

Chukwuma’s detention in India previously sparked a public disagreement between ARISE News presenter Oseni Rufai and Dabiri-Erewa over NiDCOM’s response to reports of his situation.

Oseni raised concerns about Chukwuma’s detention and the commission’s handling of the case, while Dabiri-Erewa defended NiDCOM’s position and explained the process for submitting information to the commission.

NiDCOM subsequently issued its account of Chukwuma’s detention, stating that he had been arrested in India over a visa overstay and addressing the circumstances surrounding his travel documents.

The differing accounts prompted public debate about the commission’s response to Nigerians facing immigration difficulties abroad.

 

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