Public interest lawyer Ayodele Ademiluyi has instituted a N500 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and multiple other parties at the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged violations of the rule of law in the handling of two high-profile aviation incidents involving musician King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal and passenger Comfort Emmanson.
The suit, filed under case number FHC/L/CS/1632/25, lists the President of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN), NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Ibom Air, ValueJet, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Nigerian Police Force, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the state’s Attorney-General, and the Airline Operators of Nigeria as respondents.
Ademiluyi, who also serves as convener of the Movement for Justice and Secretary of the Radical Gender Movement, stated during a press briefing that the lawsuit is designed to enforce accountability within the aviation sector. According to him, the matter transcends the individuals involved, reflecting systemic failings that compromise fairness, safety, and public trust.
He emphasized that both incidents—the altercation involving Comfort Emmanson aboard an Ibom Air flight and the controversy surrounding King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal—highlight what he described as discriminatory and inconsistent enforcement of regulations by authorities. He argued that the legal action seeks to protect the rights of ordinary citizens while sending a clear message that no one should be subjected to arbitrary treatment, regardless of their social standing.
Ademiluyi further maintained that a N500 billion claim is necessary to compel the government and regulators to confront structural flaws, restore public confidence, and establish a precedent that strengthens the rule of law in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
“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 said.
The lawyer criticised the handling of the two incidents, alleging an imbalance in the treatment of both parties.
He accused authorities of failing to arrest, arraign, or prosecute King Wasiu despite allegations against him, while Emmanson faced immediate sanctions.
He said: “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 argued that the appointment of King Wasiu as a brand ambassador was inappropriate and undermined the integrity of the sector.
“The central issue remains: Mr. Kwam 1 is walking the streets free. That is a big slap on the rule of law,” he stressed. “The suit we have filed is a public interest action. The collective interest of the polity is at stake,” he said.
He urged the judiciary to use the case to set a precedent that no one, regardless of influence or status, is above the law.