Allen Onyema, CEO of Nigerian airline Air Peace, has been charged with obstruction of justice by the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia. Ejiroghene Eghagha, Air Peace’s Chief of Administration and Finance, also faces charges in the case.
According to the indictment, Onyema and Eghagha allegedly submitted false documents in an attempt to derail a federal investigation into money laundering. The investigation reportedly began in 2019 and centered on accusations that Onyema moved over $20 million from Nigeria through US bank accounts using fraudulent documents to purchase airplanes. Eghagha is also accused of aggravated identity theft.
Federal prosecutors allege that after the initial investigation, Onyema and Eghagha attempted to impede the process by submitting fabricated documents.
The defendants have denied the charges and maintain their innocence. Air Peace released a statement saying they are confident “justice will prevail” and that the allegations against Onyema and Eghagha are “mere allegations.”
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
