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Air Peace Boss, Still A Money Laundering Fugitive In The US – Daily Mail
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent trip to Nigeria has taken a new twist, with reports emerging that they were welcomed by and enjoyed the hospitality of a man currently under federal indictment in the United States.
DailyMail.com reports that CEO and Chairman, Air Peace, Dr. Allen Onyema, who played a prominent in receiving the British royals in Nigeria is currently wanted in the United States.
According to the DailyMail.com, the 59-year-old businessman, is facing a series of charges, connected to an alleged fraud scheme totaling millions of dollars, detailed in a federal indictment filed in November 2019.
Despite his legal troubles, Dr. Onyema played a prominent role in the royal couple’s reception, joining a group of dignitaries to greet them upon their arrival in Lagos on may 12.
The 59-year-old businessman faces multiple charges related to a $20 million money laundering and bank fraud scheme.
Amidst the royals arrival in Nigeria, Dr. Onyema, adorned in navy attire with shades and a striking red kufi hat, stood among a select group of dignitaries.
This ensemble, comprising senior military and government officials, greeted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they disembarked from their Air Peace aircraft, capturing a momentous occasion in photographs.
Founded by Dr. Onyema over a decade ago, Air Peace continues to operate as the largest airline in West Africa amidst the ongoing controversy.
According to the indictment Dr Onyema is accused of leveraging his prominent status as a business leader and airline executive to launder over $20 million from Nigeria through US bank accounts.
Notably, there is no indication that Prince Harry or Meghan Markle were aware of Dr Onyema’s background prior to their meeting.
Furthermore, it has been revealed that the royal couple initially intended to use a different airline for their trip, but plans were altered last minute.
Former US Attorney Byung J ‘BJay’ Pak, who initiated the charges, has since left office, with the case now under the purview of US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Ryan Buchanan, who assumed the role in 2022.
Pak commented on the case, stating that Dr Onyema allegedly utilized falsified documents to commit fraud while leveraging his status as a prominent business figure and airline executive, a revelation that casts a shadow over the Sussexes’ “private” tour of Nigeria.
Robert Murphy, the agent overseeing the DEA Atlanta field division, remarked, “Allen Onyema’s portrayal as a wealthy businessman turned out to be a facade.
He exploited the US banking system, but his web of deception and manipulation has now been exposed.”
The indictment further alleges that Onyema established several seemingly innocuous multi-million-dollar asset acquisitions, which were purported fronts for his fraudulent activities.
According to the indictment, Onyema holds positions as the founder and chairman of various organizations in Nigeria, including the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, International Center for Non-Violence and Peace Development, and All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited.
Starting in 2010, Onyema embarked on frequent trips to Atlanta, where he initiated the opening of numerous personal and business bank accounts.
Over the span of eight years, from 2010 to 2018, it is alleged that more than $44.9 million was transferred into his Atlanta-based accounts from overseas sources.
In 2013, Onyema established Air Peace, and the indictment suggests that in subsequent years, he traveled to the United States and acquired multiple aircraft.
The Department of Justice contends that a portion of the funds used for aircraft purchases, totaling over $3 million, originated from bank accounts associated with the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, International Center for Non-Violence and Peace Development, All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited, and Every Child Limited.
Furthermore, Air Peace’s Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, faces charges alongside Onyema.
The charges against both individuals include one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit credit application fraud, and three counts of credit application fraud.
Additionally, Onyema faces 27 separate counts of money laundering, while Eghagha is charged with committing aggravated identity theft in connection with the scheme.
Beginning around May 2016, investigators allege that Onyema and Eghagha orchestrated a scheme using export letters of credit to funnel more than $20 million into Onyema’s Atlanta-based bank accounts. These funds were ostensibly earmarked for the purchase of five Boeing 737 passenger planes for Air Peace.
To support their transactions, the duo provided various documents, including purchase agreements, bills of sale, and appraisals, indicating Air Peace’s acquisition of the aircraft from Springfield Aviation Company LLC, a Georgia-based business. However, investigators assert that these documents were fabricated.
Contrary to the representations made, Springfield Aviation Company LLC, owned by Onyema but managed by an individual with no aviation background, never possessed the aircraft. Additionally, the entity responsible for drafting the appraisals was nonexistent.
In October 2022, Ebony Mayfield, an American citizen and former staff member of Springfield Aviation Company, was sentenced to three years’ probation and fined $4,000 after being charged by the US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia for her alleged involvement in the scheme.
Dr Onyema and Eghagha continue to face pending charges, with both asserting their innocence in the matter.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, January 26, 2025, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The two-day summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, is aimed at advancing “Mission 300,” a pan-African initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.
Hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, the summit will bring together African leaders, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations.
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The goal is to develop strategies for accelerating energy access in underserved regions, increasing renewable energy adoption, and mobilizing private sector investment.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the summit will serve as a platform for sharing expertise, knowledge, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges.
The first day of the summit will feature ministerial-level discussions, during which participating nations, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, or “compacts,” detailing their plans to achieve universal energy access within five years.
On the second day, African Heads of State will sign the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap for achieving the goals of Mission 300.
President Tinubu is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal energy access and its leadership role in the continent’s energy sector.
He will also highlight Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and integrated energy delivery strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development across Africa.
Accompanying the president will be key government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser to the President on Energy Olu Verheijen.
President Tinubu is set to return to Abuja immediately after the summit concludes.
The menace of illegal migration is getting diplomatic attention from the Italian authorities and the Edo State Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua divulged this in a government house statement issued in Benin City on Saturday.
He explained that the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani had expressed the readiness of the Governor, Monday Okpebholo-led administration to tackle the menace of irregular migration among youths in the state.
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It was gathered that Anani made the stance public on Friday in Government House, Benin City, when Dr. Alberto Cilala, a consultant to the European Union and President of Mattei Africa for Humanitarian Aids Initiative in Italy, led a delegation to her office.
Welcoming the delegation, she highlighted the importance of collaboration to address the challenges posed by irregular migration.
The Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the delegation, and emphasized the transformative impact the partnership will bring to Edo State.
In her words, “This initiative will reduce unemployment, create job opportunities, and address human trafficking and irregular migration. It will also enhance education, skills acquisition, agricultural investment, and infrastructural development for our people.”
On his part, Dr. Cilala emphasized that the Mattei Plan would provide valuable skills to Edo State residents, including tailoring, furniture-making, shoemaking, and more.
“The Mattei Plan was launched by the Italian Government with a focus on six key sectors: education and training, health, security, agriculture, and renewable energy. The goal is to promote integrated development and improve living conditions, particularly in rural areas.
“These projects will be fully funded by the Italian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Labour,” he stated.
Former Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Government on Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, in his remarks, said the Mattei Plan prioritizes practical measures to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking.
“Although nine African countries are involved in this initiative, Edo State is a crucial partner for Italy. This partnership will strengthen bilateral relations under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Brand Ambassador of the Mattei Plan, Olorogun John Paul, popularly known as Daddy Showkey was at the event and lauded the initiative.
He noted, “This program provides an opportunity for Edo State beneficiaries to gain training in various skills, equipping them for sustainable livelihoods.”
Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Saturday morning stormed the Speaker’s Lodge located at 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The supporters, dressed in pro-Obasa vests and caps, arrived in large numbers at the premises.
According to multiple sources, the group was planning a “heroic welcome” for the former Speaker, who was recently removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in the House.
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Obasa, who was out of the country at the time of his impeachment, was replaced by the former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Since her emergence as Speaker, Meranda has presided over two sittings, with Obasa absent from both.
The choice of the Speaker’s Lodge as the location for Obasa’s supposed welcome sparked controversy, as he is no longer officially entitled to the property following his removal.
A resident in the area expressed surprise over the situation, saying, “I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them.”
Armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent any potential disruption.
As of the time of filing this report, Obasa had yet to arrive at the lodge.
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