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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.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.
Shettima’s return followed a series of high-level engagements focused on strengthening Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic interests and expanding the country’s partnerships with BRICS member and partner countries.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima participated in high-level sessions at the summit and held bilateral meetings with key international leaders.
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Among his major engagements was a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where discussions focused on strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and India.
The discussions covered renewed crude oil trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, defence, digital technology, fintech, renewable energy and other strategic sectors.
Shettima also met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, reaffirming Nigeria’s support for multilateralism and a more inclusive global economic order.
At the BRICS summit, Shettima delivered President Tinubu’s message calling for reforms of global governance structures and international financial institutions to reflect current economic realities.
He also positioned Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s expanding market under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Nigeria further used its participation at the summit to deepen engagement with BRICS member and partner countries in key sectors, including agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and human-capital development.
The Vice President’s participation forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s international economic partnerships, attract investment and create new opportunities across strategic sectors of the economy.
Tension has heightened in parts of Sokoto metropolis following the stabbing of an Islamic cleric, Musa Lukuwa, shortly after Friday prayers, prompting the state government to shut the mosque where the incident occurred.
The Sokoto State Government ordered the immediate closure of the Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque in Mabera and declared the facility a crime scene pending the outcome of investigations.
The government also ordered a full investigation into the stabbing of the cleric and the subsequent killing of his alleged attacker by worshippers.
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The directives were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa.
According to the Sokoto State Police Command, the alleged attacker used a knife to assault Lukuwa after the Friday prayers before worshippers overpowered and beat him to death.
Police spokesperson, Ahmad Rufa’i, said the command received a distress call at about 1:50pm concerning the incident.
He said preliminary investigations showed that the alleged assailant entered the mosque after the prayers and attacked the cleric.
Lukuwa was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.
Following the attack, the cleric appealed for calm, saying he was in stable condition and urging his followers not to retaliate or take any action capable of escalating the situation.
Explaining the mosque’s closure, the state government said the measure was necessary to enable security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation.
“The government has ordered a full investigation into the attack and killing at Musa Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque, Mabera, and ordered the closure of the mosque (crime scene) till further notice,” Bawa said.
The government also constituted a committee of Islamic scholars, known as ulamas, to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the religious tensions and advise the administration on appropriate measures.
“The State Government has constituted a committee of ulamas to examine the remote and immediate causes of such crisis, and to advise the government on the appropriate measures to be taken in the interest of the state,” the statement said.
The government further dissociated itself from anyone who, under the guise of religion, engages in acts it considers disrespectful to Prophet Muhammad, his parents, household and companions.
It reaffirmed its “total obedience and respect” for the Prophet and urged residents to continue demonstrating love and compassion towards him.
The administration also appealed to residents to refrain from making inciting statements capable of worsening the situation.
“The Government has appealed to people in the state to desist from incisive statements that could jeopardise the peaceful coexistence that Sokoto is known for,” Bawa said.
The state government assured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property across Sokoto State and urged members of the public to remain calm as investigations continue.
The much awaited Africa’s largest Initial Public Offering by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has been formally flagged off on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).
President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, marked the commencement of the offer by ringing the opening bell at the NGX trading floor in Lagos on Monday.
The transaction marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s capital market, as the DPRP becomes the first refinery in the Nigerian Exchange’s 66-year history to open its shares to public subscription.
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The offer comprises 4.1 billion new ordinary shares priced at N525 per share, allowing investors to acquire an equity stake in Africa’s largest refinery.
Retail and institutional investors, as well as eligible investors across Africa, can participate in the public offer.
Investors can subscribe for a minimum of 10 shares, requiring an investment of N5,250 at the offer price.
The offer opened on Monday, September 14, 2026, and is scheduled to close on October 13, 2026, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the offer prospectus.
At the ceremony, Dangote highlighted that the public offer was part of a broader effort to expand public participation in owning his companies.
“We will lease every company that we operate,” he said.
The launch attracted prominent dignitaries, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, members of the Dangote family and captains of industry.
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