Air Peace has reaffirmed that its Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, remains innocent of the charges brought against him by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
The airline’s management issued a statement on Sunday, stressing that the ongoing legal proceedings involving Onyema and the airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, will not disrupt the company’s daily operations.
The statement emphasized that the charges, which have been expanded as part of a broader investigation into financial misconduct, are still under litigation.
The airline described the allegations as stemming from incidents that occurred several years ago.
“While the charges have been expanded, it is essential to emphasise that both Dr Onyema and Mrs Eghagha remain innocent and these are mere allegations, and the case is still in court,” the statement read.
Air Peace expressed confidence in its legal team, asserting that through due process, the truth will emerge, and both Onyema and Eghagha will be cleared of the allegations.
The company assured the public that its legal challenges would not compromise its safety, reliability, or day-to-day operations.
The expanded charges from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia include allegations that Onyema and Eghagha submitted false documents to obstruct a federal investigation into their financial activities.
The two have been under scrutiny since 2019 for alleged money laundering, with Onyema accused of moving over $20 million through U.S. bank accounts using fraudulent documents tied to aircraft purchases.
In addition to the money laundering accusations, Eghagha is also facing charges of aggravated identity theft linked to the scheme.
