Air Peace Limited has reassured its customers that legal proceedings affecting US DOJ Report will not impact the safety, reliability, or day-to-day operations of the airline.
The Nigeria’s leading airline providing affordable and reliable flights to domestic, regional and international routes and destinations, announced on Sunday that the dedication and focus of their staff remains steadfast as they continue to provide customers with the best aviation experience in Nigeria and beyond.
The management of the airline gave the assurance in an official statement issued on Sunday.
The airline stated that 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.
During the weekend, however, Onyema was reportedly charged by the United States for alleged obstruction of justice in an ongoing investigation.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Onyema and the airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, were charged with submitting false documents in a bid to thwart a federal investigation into their activities.
The charges are however not fresh. They date back to 2019 when the US Attorney’ Office charged the duo for alleged money laundering. The Attorney’s Office accused Onyema of moving over $20 million from Nigeria through U.S. bank accounts using fraudulent documents under the guise of purchasing airplanes, while Eghagha was charged for identity theft in connection with the scheme.
Revisiting the case on Friday, U.S. Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia, Ryan Buchanan, alleged that the two defendants attempted to obstruct justice by committing additional fraudulent acts aimed at disrupting the investigation.
Buchanan said, “Onyema, using his airline company as a cover, allegedly defrauded the U.S. banking system and later, along with his co-defendant, committed further crimes in a failed attempt to derail the government’s probe into his conduct.
“The diligence of our federal investigative partners exposed the defendants’ alleged obstruction scheme, ensuring that they can now be held accountable for their aggravated conduct.”
He alleged that from May 2016, Onyema and Eghagha used export letters of credit to make banks transfer over $20 million into Atlanta-based accounts managed by Onyema. These funds, he further alleged, were for the purchase of five Boeing 737 passenger planes for Air Peace.
The documents presented to support these transactions, including purchase agreements, bills of sale, and appraisals, were allegedly fake.
Investigations uncovered that the planes were to be acquired from Springfield Aviation Company LLC, a Georgia-registered business owned by Onyema.
However, Springfield Aviation never owned the aircraft, and the company was managed by a person with no ties to the aviation industry.
The private airline further said on Sunday, “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 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”, the airline added.
