Public Interest Lawyer and Activist, Ayodele Ademiluyi, has filed a massive ₦500 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and several other key parties at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
In the suit, Mr. Ademiluyi accuses these bodies of seriously violating the rule of law in their handling of two separate Aviation-related incidents, one involving popular Fuji music legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal also known as KWAM 1 and the other involving an airline passenger, Comfort Emmanson.
The case, officially registered as FHC/L/CS/1632/25, lists an unusually large number of respondents. They include: the President of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), the NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Ibom Air, ValueJet, the Nigerian Correctional Service, KWAM 1 himself, the Nigerian Police Force, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
Speaking to journalists during a press briefing on Friday, Mr. Ademiluyi, who is also the convener of the Movement for Justice and Secretary of the Radical Gender Movement, said this case was not just about the two individuals involved. According to him, it is about protecting public interest, strengthening the rule of law, and exposing deep weaknesses in Nigeria’s aviation and justice systems.
He strongly condemned what he described as unequal treatment in the two cases. He alleged that while KWAM 1 faced no arrest, no arraignment, and no prosecution for his alleged misconduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Comfort Emmanson was swiftly arrested, charged, and jailed over her own incident on an Ibom Air flight.
Mr. Ademiluyi warned that such an imbalance injustice was dangerous, saying: Our aviation system needs a complete overhaul. We cannot allow impunity to flourish. This is not supposed to be a banana republic where someone can stop a plane with their bare hands and walk away without any consequence. Yet, Mr. KWAM 1 faced no legal action, instead, he was rewarded with a brand ambassadorship for the aviation sector. What kind of message does that send to Nigerians?
The lawyer insisted that giving the Fuji star a public honour after the alleged offence was highly inappropriate.
If a person can disrupt aviation safety and still be celebrated, then we are encouraging lawlessness,he added.
Mr. Ademiluyi further accused the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, of taking sides in the matter. He explained that part of his legal request is for the court to issue an order of mandamus ,a formal order compelling government agencies and officials to take the proper legal action against KWAM 1 and others involved.
This case is not about celebrity status, political connections, or personal interests, he stressed.It is about the sanctity of the rule of law and ensuring that every citizen is accountable under the same standard.
He also criticised the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) for their involvement in Comfort Emmanson’s case, describing their actions as overreaching.
In closing, Mr. Ademiluyi called on the court to use this case as a landmark opportunity to send a strong message that no one no matter how famous or influential ,is above the law.