Onyema denies $20m fraud allegation by US, says he’ll meet them in court

 

 

 

Posted by Sade Williams

 

 

Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace Ltd has denied all allegations of $20 million fraud and money laundering levelled against him by the United States of America, saying they are unfounded and strange to him.

 

The reactions are coming as United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia,  in an online statement, charged Allen Ifechukwu Athan Onyema, chairman, CEO, and founder of Air Peace, with bank fraud and money laundering for moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplanes.

 

Ejiroghene Eghagha, the airline’s chief of Administration and Finance, has also been charged with bank fraud and committing aggravated identity theft in connection with the scheme.

 

 

Onyema said the allegations are false and in no way  not in line with his character as a person and a businessman.

 

 

“Thank you for reaching out to me. I can confirm to you that all allegations are false and are in no way in line with my character as a person and as a business man whose only aim has been to build Nigeria and improve wellbeing.  As the press statement clearly stated, these are indictment that only contains charges. I am innocent of all charges and the US government will find NO dirt on me because I have never conducted business with any illegalities.

 

 

“Be rest assured that I also have my lawyers on this and these mere allegations will be refuted. I never laundered money in my life, neither have I committed bank fraud anywhere in the world. Every Kobo I transferred to the US for aircraft purchase went through the Central Bank of Nigeria LC regime and all were used for the same purpose. The American companies that received the funds are still in business. I never took a penny from any US bank or Nigerian bank. I am willing to defend my innocence in the US courts”, Onyema said.

 

The statement from the USA  further said: “Onyema allegedly leveraged his status as a prominent business leader and airline executive while using falsified documents to commit fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.  “We will diligently protect the integrity our banking system from being corrupted by criminals, even when they disguise themselves in a cloak of international business.”

 

Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division commented on the indictment, “Allen Onyema’s status as a wealthy businessman turned out to be a fraud. He corrupted the U.S. banking system, but his trail of deceit and trickery came to a skidding halt. DEA would like to thank the many law enforcement partners and the subsequent prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office who aided in making this investigation a success.”

 

But another counter  statement signed on behalf of Air Peace Ltd by A.O. Alegeh & Co., Legal Practitioners & Notaries Public in Nigeria, says the chairman of the foremost Nigerian airline has a track record built on honesty and integrity and will take all necessary steps to clear his good name and hard earned reputation.

 

“On behalf of Allen Onyema, we hereby state that he strongly denies and will vigorously defend himself against the allegations made against him by the US Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia in relation to purchase of Aircraft, Aircraft spares and Aircraft maintenance. None of the allegations involve any third party funds but relate to his funds utilized in the Airline business. There is no allegation that any Bank [in the United States, Nigeria or elsewhere], Company or individual suffered any financial or any loss whatsoever.

 

“The allegations are unfounded and strange to him. Allen Onyema has a track record built on honesty and integrity and will take all necessary steps to clear his good name and hard earned reputation. He looks forward to an opportunity to rebut these allegations in Court.

 

Also denying all allegations of money laundering is Mrs. Ejiro Eghagha, Executive Director  at Air Peace Limited.

 

The Legal firm also says this on her behalf: On behalf of Mrs Ejiro Eghagha, we hereby state that she strongly denies and will vigorously defend herself against the allegations made against her by the US Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia in relation to purchase of Aircraft, Aircraft spares and Aircraft maintenance for her employer. None of the allegations involve any third party funds but relate to funds belonging to her employer and utilized in the Airline business. There is no allegation that any Bank [in the United States, Nigeria or elsewhere], Company or individual suffered any financial or any loss whatsoever.

 

“The allegations are unfounded and strange to her. Mrs Ejiro Eghagha has built her reputation as a seasoned, honest and responsible person and will take all necessary steps to clear her good name and hard earned reputation. She looks forward to an opportunity to rebut these allegations in Court”, it stated.