Air Peace Limited has expressed confidence that justice will prevail regarding the expanded charges brought by U.S. authorities against its CEO, Allen Onyema, in the alleged submission of false documents to impede a federal investigation.
This assurance was conveyed in a statement released on October 13, 2024.
Air Peace’s reaction is contained in a statement issued on Sunday, October 13, 2024.
This follows a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, announcing on Friday that “Allen Onyema, the Chairman, CEO, and founder of Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, has been charged in a superseding indictment with 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. Ejiroghene Eghagha, the airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, was also charged for participating in the obstruction scheme, as well as in the earlier bank fraud counts.”
In response to the recent developments, Air Peace’s management acknowledged that the charges against its leadership are part of a prolonged legal process related to earlier allegations of financial misconduct.
They emphasized that despite the expanded charges, both Dr. Onyema and Mrs. Eghagha maintain their innocence, as the case is still ongoing 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,” the statement partly read.
Air Peace has reassured the public that the ongoing legal proceedings will not affect the safety, reliability, or daily operations of the airline.
The management emphasized their commitment to maintaining high standards in all aspects of their service during this time.
“The dedication and focus of our staff remain steadfast as we continue to provide you with the best aviation experience in Nigeria and beyond,” it added.
In a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia on November 22, 2019, the CEO of Air Peace, Allen Ifechukwu Athan Onyema, was charged with bank fraud and money laundering.
These allegations marked the beginning of a significant legal challenge for Onyema and the airline.
U.S. authorities alleged that Allen Onyema utilized his airline and nonprofit organizations to carry out a fraudulent scheme, transferring over $44.9 million between 2010 and 2018.
The investigation indicated that supporting documents for these transactions were falsified, and it was claimed that Onyema laundered more than $16 million.
