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Air Peace’s Onyeama claims innocence as US indicts him over alleged $20m bank fraud

Amidst the trending news about the United States government’s ongoing efforts to gather more charges on the alleged $20 million bank fraud case levelled against the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, and his Chief of Finance and Administration, Ejiro Eghagha, the management of the Nigerian carrier has insisted that both his Chairman, Allen Onyema, and the Chief of Finance and Administration, Ejiro Eghagha, remain innocent in the case.

In the trial, which has been ongoing for five years, the Nigerian airline chief has denied wrongdoing.
Despite his defence, an American court, the District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, in Atlanta, has continued to declare Onyema wanted over the fraud allegations.

In the latest news circulating, the airline’s chief of finance and administration, Ejiroghene Eghagha, is being charged along with Onyema for participating in the obstruction of justice in the case.

The latest statement issued from the US Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia, on Friday, 11th, October 2024, stated, “On 8 October 2024, they were both (Onyema and Eghagha) charged in a superseding indictment alleging an additional count of obstruction of justice and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.”

The office said Mr Onyema is accused of “obstruction of justice for submitting false documents to the government in an effort to end an investigation of him that resulted in earlier charges of bank fraud and money laundering.

Prosecutors said he submitted false documents to US authorities in 2019 in an effort to stop the investigation and unfreeze his bank accounts regarding the alleged $20 million bank fraud.

Ejiroghene Eghagha, the airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, accused of participating in the alleged obstruction scheme, as well as in the earlier bank fraud counts, is Mr Onyema’s co-defendant in the case.

“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 statement quoted US Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.

The American authorities have accused Onyema of moving suspicious funds from Nigeria to American bank accounts between 2017 and 2018, with the funds allegedly disguised as being meant to be used to purchase aircraft.

Onyema and his co-defendant, Eghagha, allegedly organised the fraud by applying for export letters of credit for the transfer of funds from a Nigerian bank account to the bank account of Mr Onyema’s Atlanta-Georgia-based firm, Springfield Aviation LLC, between 2016 and 2017.

The defendants, according to US prosecutors, applied for the funds purportedly for the purchase of aircraft by Air Peace from Springfield Aviation.

Both Air Peace, a major Nigerian commercial airline, and the US-based Springfield Aviation are owned by Mr. Onyema.

In a statement issued by the airline management and sighted by the Nigerian Tribune, titled “Reassurance Regarding Recent US DOJ Report,” the airline declared: “Air Peace Limited is aware of the recent media reports concerning our esteemed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, and Chief of Finance and Administration, Mrs. Ejiro Eghagha, in line with the latest legal charges filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. We understand that this may have raised concerns, and we wish to address these reports directly.

“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.

“While the charges have been expanded, it is essential to emphasise that both Dr Onyema and Mrs Eghagha remain innocent, and these are mere allegations, and the case is still in court. Our legal team is fully engaged with the matter and is working tirelessly to ensure that justice prevails. We remain confident that, through due process, the truth will be revealed, and our CEO and co-defendant will be exonerated.

“It is important to note that Dr Onyema and his legal team have consistently cooperated with authorities throughout this process, and Air Peace continues to operate without disruption, upholding our commitment to delivering top-notch services to our valued customers.

“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 dedication and focus of our staff remain steadfast as we continue to provide you with the best aviation experience in Nigeria and beyond.

“We thank our customers and flying public for your continued support and understanding during this time, and we remain committed to serving you with excellence and integrity.”

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