Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has strongly criticised the Federal Government for pardoning Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), after allegations of misconduct at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Falana accused the government of obstructing justice by halting police investigations into the incident, despite reports that KWAM 1 poured the contents of a flask on a pilot, a security officer, and passengers.
Falana said the Inspector-General of Police had begun investigating the matter but the process was abruptly ended when the government accepted an apology from KWAM 1 and granted him a pardon.
“Without allowing the police to complete their investigation or file charges, the Federal Government hastily accepted his apology and pardoned him,” he said.
More controversially, Falana revealed that the government plans to appoint KWAM 1 as an ambassador for airport conduct a move he described as “baffling.”
The rights lawyer warned that such actions undermine the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent.
“With this, the Federal Government has lost the moral authority to arrest or prosecute any other passenger for misconduct at airports,” Falana stated.
He also cited the case of Ms. Comfor Emmanson, a passenger previously charged for disorderly conduct on an Ibom Air flight, noting that charges against her were dropped allegedly to avoid accusations of double standards.
“Since citizens have equal rights before the law, any selective justice will be seen as discriminatory,” he said.
As of press time, the Federal Government has not responded to Falana’s remarks.
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