Tayo Busayo, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - Air Peace has strongly denied allegations against its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Allen Onyema, and Chief of Finance and Administration, Mrs. Ejiro Eghagha, following new charges filed by the United States government accusing them of obstruction of justice.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Onyema is charged with submitting false documents to U.S. authorities in an attempt to obstruct an ongoing investigation into earlier charges of bank fraud and money laundering. Eghagha is also implicated in the obstruction scheme and is facing charges related to the initial bank fraud case.
The obstruction charges are an extension of a long-standing legal battle that began in 2019 when Onyema was accused of bank fraud involving a $20 million scheme. U.S. authorities allege that Onyema submitted fraudulent documents to unfreeze his bank accounts and halt the investigation.
U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan explained the new charges in a public statement: "After allegedly using his airline company as a cover to commit fraud on the United States' banking system, Onyema, along with his co-defendant, allegedly committed additional crimes of fraud in a failed attempt to derail the government’s investigation of his conduct."
The U.S. government claims that Onyema transferred more than $44.9 million into U.S.-based accounts from foreign sources between 2010 and 2018. It also alleges that Onyema and Eghagha submitted fraudulent applications for export letters of credit, supposedly for the purchase of five Boeing 737 aircraft through a company owned by Onyema, Springfield Aviation LLC, between 2016 and 2017. The documents supporting these applications were allegedly fake, and Springfield Aviation reportedly never owned the planes in question.
In response to the latest developments, Air Peace released a statement expressing its full support for Onyema and Eghagha. The airline emphasized that both individuals are innocent of all charges and noted that the allegations are part of an ongoing legal process.
"These charges levelled against our post-holders are part of an extended legal process stemming from earlier accusations of financial misdeeds that date back several years," the statement read. "While the charges have been expanded, it is essential to emphasize that both Dr. Onyema and Mrs. Eghagha remain innocent, and these are mere allegations."
Air Peace assured the public that its legal team is actively working on the case, with a commitment to ensuring that due process is followed. The airline expressed confidence that the truth will ultimately prevail and that both Onyema and Eghagha will be exonerated.
The company also reassured its customers that the legal issues will not affect Air Peace’s operations. "We want to reassure the public that these legal proceedings will not impact the safety, reliability, or day-to-day operations of Air Peace," the statement said, adding that the airline remains focused on delivering top-quality services.
Onyema’s legal troubles date back to 2019, when U.S. authorities accused him of bank fraud and money laundering. At the time, Onyema was alleged to have used Air Peace as a front for financial crimes, which involved transferring large sums of money into U.S. bank accounts.
The case has drawn significant media attention, both in Nigeria and internationally, due to Onyema's prominent role in the Nigerian aviation industry. Air Peace, which he founded, is one of the largest airlines in Africa, and Onyema has been a vocal advocate for improving air travel within the continent.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Onyema has maintained his innocence throughout, insisting that all transactions were legitimate and that he has always cooperated with U.S. authorities.
As the legal proceedings continue, Air Peace remains firm in its support of Onyema and Eghagha. The company is confident that the charges will be proven baseless and that its top executives will be cleared of any wrongdoing. For now, the airline remains operational, pledging to uphold its commitment to safety and excellence in the aviation sector.