The Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Ifechukwu Athan Onyema, has reacted to the allegation of fraud against him by the United States Department of Justice.
Okay.ng had reported how the US Department of Justice in a press released accused Onyema of bank fraud and money laundering to the tune of more than $20 million (N7.2 billion).
The department also charged Air Peace’s Chief of Administration and Finance, Mrs. Ejiroghene Eghagha, with bank fraud and committing aggravated identity theft.
Reacting to the accusations, Mr. Onyema in a statement to Okay.ng by his Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha on Saturday morning denied allegations labeled against him.
He said that all the money transfer for the purchase of aircraft passed through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The Air Peace boss also revealed that his lawyers were working on the allegations which would be refuted.
Onyema said: “Thank you for reaching out to me. I can confirm to you that all allegations are false and are in no way in line with my character as a person and as a business man whose only aim has been to build Nigeria and improve well-being,” the statement read.
“As the press statement clearly stated, these are indictments that only contain charges. I am innocent of all charges and the US government will find NO dirt on me because I have never conducted business with any illegalities.
“Be rest assured that I also have my lawyers on this and these mere allegations will be refuted.
“I never laundered money in my life, neither have I committed bank fraud anywhere in the world. Every Kobo I transferred to the US for aircraft purchase went through the Central Bank of Nigeria LC regime and all were used for the same purpose. The American companies that received the funds are still in business. I never took a penny from any US bank or Nigerian bank. I am willing to defend my innocence in the US courts.”
