Crime
Air Peace Defends CEO, CFO Amid New U.S. Charges Of Obstruction, Fraud
Air Peace has defended its Chairman and CEO, Dr. Allen Onyema, and Chief of Finance and Administration, Mrs. Ejiro Eghagha, following new charges brought against them by the U.S. Department of Justice for alleged obstruction of justice.
The charges, which extend a years-long legal battle, accuse Onyema and Eghagha of submitting false documents to derail an investigation into prior allegations of bank fraud and money laundering.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the latest indictment accuses Onyema of submitting fraudulent documents in an attempt to halt a federal investigation into alleged financial crimes dating back to 2019.
The earlier case involved claims that Onyema defrauded U.S. banks of $20 million.
The new charges also allege that Eghagha played a role in both the obstruction efforts and the original fraud.
U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated that Onyema allegedly funneled over $44.9 million into his Atlanta accounts from foreign sources between 2010 and 2018.
He and Eghagha are accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to secure export letters of credit for the purchase of five Boeing 737 aircraft for Air Peace.
The funds, transferred between 2016 and 2017, were supported by documents that U.S. prosecutors claim were falsified.
The indictment alleges that Springfield Aviation LLC, the Georgia-based company involved in the transactions, was owned by Onyema and managed by an individual without aviation expertise.
Furthermore, the company reportedly never owned the planes, and the appraisal documents were allegedly fabricated.
Responding to the charges, Air Peace issued a statement over the weekend, reaffirming the innocence of Onyema and Eghagha and stressing that the new allegations are a continuation of a prolonged legal process linked to previous accusations.
The airline expressed confidence in its legal team’s ability to prove the innocence of both executives, assuring the public that Air Peace’s operations will not be disrupted.
The statement reads, “These charges are part of an extended legal process stemming from earlier accusations of financial misdeeds. We remain confident that, through due process, the truth will be revealed, and our CEO and co-defendant will be exonerated.”
The company assured customers that its commitment to safety and service remains unchanged, and operations will continue as usual.
“Air Peace continues to operate without disruption, upholding our commitment to delivering top-notch services,” it added.
The charges against Onyema and Eghagha mark the latest chapter in a legal saga that has been unfolding for several years, with the airline’s leadership vowing to fight the allegations in court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
Crime
Arrested Boko Haram Suspects: Adeleke Commends Security Operatives, Assures Safety Of Residents
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), on the successful operation, that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
Gov Adeleke expressed his feelings in a statement on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday.
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According to the statement, Gov Adeleke hailed the alertness of security operatives, to eliminate the threats posed by the suspected terrorists, which gives further assurance that our security agencies are up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.
He particularly commended the intelligence gathering of the personnel of the State Service, who have painstakingly monitor the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.
“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but to the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us”, Gov Adeleke declared.
He assured that his administration will continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property of Osun people, noting that this remains top of his priority.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people. I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun. We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state” the Governor noted.
Gov Adeleke enjoined residents of Osun to continue to be watchful, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency, while assuring that Osun will continue to be a peaceful state under his watch.
“I hereby call on my people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be at alert to report any suspicious activities or behavior around them to the relevant security authorities. Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria” he concluded.
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