Social media activists, VDM, Mr Jollof, face prosecution after mid-air brawl

Social media activist Martins Otse (VeryDarkMan) and comedian Freedom Atsepoyi (Mr Jollof) could be fined or imprisoned following a physical altercation on a United Nigeria Airlines flight.

The incident occurred on a Monday flight from Asaba to Lagos, where a verbal argument escalated into a physical fight. Online videos show crew members and other passengers intervening to separate the two men as they exchanged blows.

In a Facebook video, Otse appeared to admit his role, stating, “I don chop Jollof father for inside the plane. He bite me, man, wey de bite,” implying he retaliated after being bitten.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has strongly condemned the behaviour. Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, announced via X that both individuals violated aviation safety regulations and will face legal consequences.

“There is no tolerance for unruly behaviour aboard an aircraft. Both individuals will face the full strength of the law,” Achimugu wrote.

He also criticized their “hypocrisy,” noting they often advocate for responsible conduct to their large online followings.

Achimugu confirmed that the airline has formally reported the incident, triggering an expected legal and regulatory process.

He emphasized that their actions endangered passengers, crew, and the aircraft, and are inexcusable under any circumstances.

Under the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act (2022), acts of violence on an aircraft can lead to a penalty of at least N2 million, up to five years in prison, or both. Interfering with crew duties also carries potential fines and jail time.

United Nigeria Airlines confirmed the event in a statement, noting that its crew acted quickly to de-escalate the situation.

Both men were offloaded from the aircraft at Asaba International Airport and handed over to security authorities. The flight later departed safely.

The airline reiterated its “zero-tolerance” policy for any behaviour that compromises the safety and security of passengers and crew.

The in-flight clash seems to be an extension of a long-running online feud between the two personalities.

This incident is part of a concerning trend of unruly behaviour on flights in Nigeria, following recent altercations involving Fuji star KWAM 1 and a passenger named Comfort Emmanson on other airlines.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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