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US Charges Air Peace’s Onyema With ‘Justice Obstruction,’ He Vows To Fight Back
US Charges Air Peace’s Onyema With ‘Justice Obstruction,’ He Vows To Fight Back. Air Peace has denied any wrongdoing by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Allen Onyema, and Chief of Finance and Administration, Mrs. Ejiro Eghagha, who have been charged by the United States for alleged obstruction of justice.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
A statement released by the US Attorney’s Office said that Onyema has been charged in a superseding indictment with obstruction of justice for submitting false documents to the government to end an investigation of him that resulted in earlier charges of bank fraud and money laundering.
Also charged is Eghagha, the airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, for allegedly participating in the obstruction scheme, as well as in the earlier bank fraud counts.
This adds to an earlier $20 million bank fraud charge against Onyema, which has been on for the last five years.
He was accused of submitting false documents to US authorities in 2019 in an effort to stop the investigation and unfreeze his bank accounts regarding the alleged $20 million bank fraud.
“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,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.
In the superseding indictment, Onyema was alleged to have fraudulently transferred more than $44.9 million into his Atlanta-based accounts from foreign sources between 2010 and 2018.
Onyema and Eghagha were also alleged to have fraudulently applied for export letters of credit for the transfer of funds from a Nigerian bank account to the bank account of Onyema’s Atlanta-Georgia-based firm, Springfield Aviation LLC, between 2016 and 2017.
The letters of credit were purported to fund the purchase of five separate Boeing 737 passenger planes by Air Peace and were supported by documents such as purchase agreements, bills of sale, and appraisals.
“The documents purported to show that Air Peace was purchasing the aircraft from Springfield Aviation Company LLC, a business registered in Georgia.
“However, the supporting documents were allegedly fake – Springfield Aviation Company LLC was owned by Onyema and managed on his behalf by a person with no connection to the aviation business, and Springfield Aviation never owned the aircraft. The company that allegedly drafted the appraisals did not exist,” the statement said.
‘Onyema and Eghagha remain innocent’
Responding to the latest charge of ‘justice obstruction’ against its CEO Onyema and Chief of Finance and Administration, Eghagha, Air Peace in a statement on Sunday, insisted that the duo are innocent of all accusations.
The airline noted that the latest charges against Onyema and Eghagha are part of an extended legal process stemming from earlier accusations of financial misdeeds that date back several years.
It added that its legal team are fully engaged with the matter and is working tirelessly to ensure that justice prevails.
The statement reads, “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. 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 emphasize 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 want to reassure the public that these legal proceedings will not impact the safety, reliability, or day-to-day operations of Air Peace. The dedication and focus of our staff remain steadfast as we continue to provide you with the best aviation experience in Nigeria and beyond.
“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.
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Trial Or Trap? Enugu Rangers Fire Back At Moses Simon Over Controversial Failed Transfer Claim!.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Enugu Rangers, have formally rejected claims made by Super Eagles winger Moses Simon that he was denied a contract with the club due to his ethnicity. Simon, who currently plays for Paris FC, alleged in an interview with UrbanDwellSport that he was dropped after a three-month trial because he was not Igbo, despite believing his performance warranted a contract.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a statement released on their official account, the club addressed the allegations with the following points:
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Denial of Discrimination: Rangers explicitly stated that they have never maintained a policy of discrimination based on religion, tribe, ethnicity, or place of origin.
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National Identity: While the club is proud of its roots in Enugu and the South-East, it emphasized that it has functioned as a national institution for over five decades, hosting players and staff from across Nigeria and the continent.
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Recruitment Criteria: The club maintained that signing decisions are based solely on character, discipline, footballing ability, and commitment, rather than ethnic identity.
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Technical Decisions: Rangers noted that thousands of players have been evaluated over the years, and contract decisions are based on various technical, administrative, and sporting considerations rather than bias.
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Commitment to Diversity: The club reiterated that its current management upholds meritocracy, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for all talented players regardless of their geographical origin.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has announced that the schoolchildren and teachers recently rescued from kidnappers in the Oriire Local Government Area will undergo 48 hours of medical observation before being officially transferred to state custody. During a visit to the victims at the 2 Division Nigerian Army Medical Services in Ibadan, the Governor emphasized that their primary focus remains the health and recovery of the survivors.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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Medical and Psychological Recovery: While the victims are happy to be free, many appear physically exhausted and emotionally traumatized from their captivity. Consequently, they will receive comprehensive medical care, counseling, and rehabilitation to ensure a full recovery.
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Observation Period: Military medical personnel advised a 48-hour observation period to conduct detailed physical and psychological assessments. Governor Makinde supports this professional approach as a priority for the victims’ well-being.
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Family Reunions: Arrangements are being made for families to visit the victims at the military facility in a controlled environment that does not disrupt the ongoing recovery process.
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Sacrifice of Security Personnel: Governor Makinde expressed deep sorrow, noting that the joy of the rescue is tempered by the loss of brave security operatives who died during the operation. He extended his condolences to their families and vowed that their sacrifices would be honored.
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Call for Collective Responsibility: The Governor stressed that security is a collective duty, urging Nigerians to remain united, vigilant, and cooperative with security institutions to combat criminal elements.
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Future Briefing: The state government plans to provide a comprehensive briefing in the coming days regarding the abduction and the collaborative security operation that secured the victims’ freedom.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed its profound relief and joy regarding the successful rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers who were abducted from the Oriire community in Oyo State. In an official statement released on Friday night, the forum, under the chairmanship of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, celebrated the safe return of the captives, labeling the operation a significant moment of respite for both the victims’ families and the entire nation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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Praise for Coordinated Efforts: The governors attributed the success of the rescue to “months of high-level coordination, intelligence gathering, and disciplined execution,” highlighting the effective collaboration among various security agencies involved in the operation.
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Congratulations to the President: The forum congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the outcome, noting that the rescue was the culmination of these sustained, multi-agency security efforts.
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Solidarity with Families: The NGF shared in the joy of the victims’ families, acknowledging the immense emotional and psychological distress they endured while their loved ones were in captivity and expressing hope for the full recovery of the rescued individuals.
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Commendation of Security Forces and Oyo State: The governors commended the professional conduct and commitment of the Nigerian Army, police, intelligence agencies, and other personnel. They also praised the Oyo State Government for its close cooperation with federal authorities throughout the mission.
Looking ahead, the NGF expressed confidence that the demonstrated level of inter-agency cooperation would lead to further victories against kidnapping and other security threats nationwide. The forum also appealed to all Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and actionable intelligence, stressing that collective action is essential to ensuring community safety and defeating criminal elements.
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