US Government’s charges against Onyema are “mere allegations”, says Air Peace

Air Peace Limited has dismissed the charges as baseless accusations of money laundering charges brought by the United States Department of Justice against it’s Chairman and CEO, Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Mrs. Ejiro Eghagha.

WESTERN POST had reported that a press statement released on Friday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, alleged that the duo of Onyeama attempted to halt an investigation into his activities that led to previous charges of bank fraud and money laundering.

According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, Onyema and his co-defendant allegedly used his airline business as a front to defraud the American financial system.

But reacting in a press statement on Sunday, the airline made it clear that the accusations are a continuation of a current court dispute involving several years of allegations of financial malfeasance. Air Peace emphasized that the charges are still pending in court and restated that Onyema and Eghagha are both deemed innocent.

The airline further emphasized that throughout the legal procedure, Onyema has completely cooperated with the authorities.

The statement reads, “Air Peace Limited is aware of the recent media reports concerning our esteemed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, and Chief of Finance and Administration, Mrs Ejiro Eghagha in line with the latest legal charges filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. We understand that this may have raised concerns, and we wish to address these reports directly. These charges levelled against our post-holders are part of an extended legal process stemming from earlier accusations of financial misdeeds that date back several years.

“While the charges have been expanded, it is essential to emphasize that both Dr. Onyema and Mrs. Eghagha remains innocent and these are mere allegations, and the case is still in court. Our legal team is fully engaged with the matter and is working tirelessly to ensure that justice prevails. We remain confident that, through due process, the truth will be revealed, and our CEO and co-defendant will be exonerated.

“It is important to note that Dr. Onyema and his legal team have consistently cooperated with authorities throughout this process, and Air Peace continues to operate without disruption, upholding our commitment to delivering top-notch services to our valued customers.

“We want to reassure the public that these legal proceedings will not impact the safety, reliability, or day-to-day operations of Air Peace. The dedication and focus of our staff remain steadfast as we continue to provide you with the best aviation experience in Nigeria and beyond. We thank our customers and flying public for your continued support and understanding during this time, and we remain committed to serving you with excellence and integrity.”