Oba Hammed Oyelude Makama, Tegbosun III, the Olowu of Kuta, has urged the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, to temper justice with mercy and forgive popular fuji musician Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, also known as K1 De Ultimate, for an altercation with ValueJet officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja last Tuesday.
Olowu, in his appeal to Keyamo, mentioned that to err is human, but to forgive is divine.
The monarch also urged the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, to revoke the ban on K1 and the suspension imposed on the pilot, Oluranti Ogoyi, in the aftermath of the scandal.
Olowu said, “I want to make a public appeal concerning our illustrious son, an icon, a legend, a distinguished Nigerian, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, directly to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, our dear son, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN; the DG of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo; and the CEO of ValueJet, Mr Kunle Soname, on the error of judgement that occurred at the Abuja airport during the altercation.
“Our son has truly atoned and made a public apology; we are supporting his public apology by appealing to the relevant authorities to please temper justice with mercy. We are also aware that a punitive pronouncement has been made, but we’re appealing for mercy.
“Also, I ask the concerned authority to forgive our daughter, pilot Oluranti Ogoyi. No one is immune from mistakes. Even nations make mistakes. Let’s forgive them and move forward. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“A mistake has been made, and an atonement has also been made. K1 has done a lot to promote the brand Nigeria. As a nation, we should pardon him and move forward.”
