Yoruba Fuji maestro Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM1 or K1 De Ultimate, has responded to allegations of mistreatment levelled against him by some of his band members, including Ayankunle Ayanlowo, News About Nigeria reports.
In an interview with GoldMyne TV on Sunday, KWAM1 dismissed the accusations as mischievous attempts to tarnish his reputation.
Ayankunle provided a detailed account of his time working alongside KWAM1, accusing him of mistreatment and stating that their relationship was that of a master and a slave.
In an interview published by an online platform, he alleged that KWAM1 would seize their passports during travel and recalled an incident where he was instructed to forego medical attention and return home.
Expressing persistent health worries stemming from the stress endured during his approximately 32 years with KWAM1, the drummer pledged to hold the singer responsible should any harm befall him.
However, KWAM1 refuted these claims, revealing that Ayankunle and two others had absconded from the band during a tour in England in the 90s, resulting in the confiscation of their passports by British authorities for overstaying their visas.
Responding to Ayankunle’s allegation of passport confiscation, KWAM1 clarified that the drummer had voluntarily left the band and overstayed in England, resulting in passport complications.
“Ayankunle and two others ran away from the band in England with their passports. And we returned to Nigeria. That was in the 90s. After he ran away, information reaching us indicated that in the course of him overstaying, he gave his passport to someone to come and present it at the British embassy. As of that time, they were not stamping visas on passport leaflets. The person successfully had his details changed to his while he maintained Ayankunle’s passport.
“On scrutiny, the embassy detected and withheld the passport. Ayankunle’s passport is at the British High Commission. This is someone who can barely read or write, and I facilitated a passport for him. I’m not the one who collected his passport. He has run away with it. How come the same passport is with me?” KWAM 1 queried.
Additionally, KWAM1 addressed accusations from another band member, Ismaila Olubade, who claimed his passport was withheld.
KWAM1 explained that he disbanded the members due to ongoing issues and regrouped with new members.
Regarding allegations of staff mistreatment, KWAM1 said that he has always listened to his band members’ concerns and provided support where necessary.
He cited an example of assisting a member whose house was marked for demolition in Oyo State.
“I told him that only his house cannot be put up for demolition. Although I could easily ask Governor Seyi Makinde but he was sure that many houses would have been marked too for the benefits of the residents of the state. So it was easier to just help him with whatever he could provide and the support of others,” he said.
