Allen Onyema will be cleared of money laundering charge in US, says Air Peace

Air Peace says Allen Onyema, its chief executive officer (CEO), and Ejiroghene Eghagha, its chief of administration and finance, will be exonerated from the allegations preferred against them by the US.

In a superseding indictment, the US attorney’s office, Northern District of Georgia, said Onyema and Eghagha allegedly submitted false documents to end a federal investigation against them.

“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,” Ryan Buchanan of the US attorney’s office had said.

Onyema and Eghagha have been under investigation for alleged money laundering since 2019.

While the Air Peace CEO is accused of moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through US bank accounts in a scheme involving “false documents” to purchase airplanes, Eghagha is said to have committed aggravated identity theft in connection with the plot.

In a statement on Sunday, the airline described the claims against Onyema and Eghagha as “mere allegations”.

“Our legal team is fully engaged with the matter and is working tirelessly to ensure that justice prevails,” the company said.

“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 airline said the legal proceedings would not have any impact on its day-to-day operations.