U.S Court Clears Air Peace Boss In $20m Fraud Cause

A US District Court in Atlanta, Georgia, has cleared the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, of wrongdoing in an alleged $20m bank fraud charges brought against him by the U.S government.

The US authorities had accused Onyema of moving suspicious funds from Nigeria to American bank accounts between 2017 and 2018, allegedly disguised as funds for the purchase of an aircraft.

Although Onyema denied wrongdoing, he wasdeclared wanted in the US over the charges filed against him at the District Court.

He was accused of submitting false documents to terminate a federal investigation that resulted in 35 charges of bank fraud and money laundering in 2019.

Also indicted and named as co-defendant in the suit was the airline’s chief of administration and finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, who was also declared wanted in connection with the case.

After years of investigation involving about five agencies of the American government, the court held that there was no loss against any bank in the suit filed by the Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

The court, however, ordered probation and a $4,000 fine against a former staff of Springfield Aviation Company Inc., Ebony Mayfield, for her roles in the case after pleading guilty to one count in the indictment.

A statement by Augustine Alegeh & Co. law firm, counsel to the airline, explained that Mayfield was given the lowest possible sentence under American law after pleading guilty, as she couldn’t explain several Letters of Credit utilised for purchase of aircraft for Air Peace Limited in a jury trial.

The firm said the airline was not involved in any fraudulent business as the Court has proven there was no loss of funds by any bank.

“Our clients never took loans or credit from any American Bank and Mayfield was never paid the sum of $20,000 at any time to commit any fraud, as it is being peddled in some quarters.

“There was no loss of money or any damage whatsoever to any third party. The American government admitted in Court that no bank suffered any financial loss in the matter.

“Mayfield, like other Springfield Aviation Company Inc. staff, was only paid her bi-weekly salary and/or allowances,” it clarified.

“Our clients maintain their innocence in the matter and state that all steps taken in respect of the Letters of Credit were taken in good faith and with legitimate funds.

“All the aircraft involved were brought into Nigeria and utilised in the operations of Air Peace Limited. There was no victim. There was no loss of funds to any person and there was no criminal intent whatsoever.

“Our client’s position has been reviewed by various Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria and no evidence of criminality has been established against them. Our Clients remain resolute in the assertion of their innocence,” the firm declared.