Air peace $20m fraud: Allegations are unfounded, strange to him- Onyema’s lawyers

Lawyers of the Chairman of Air Peace airline, Barrister Allen Onyema, has stated that allegations by the US Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia, are unfounded and strange to the Mr. Onyema.

Mr Onyema, called lawyers to prove that the fraud and money laundering allegations against him and his Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Ejiroghene Eghagha are false, as he complied with extant financial laws.

A statement from the Law firm of A.O. Alegeh & Co said: “ On behalf of Allen Onyema, we hereby state that he strongly denies and will vigorously defend himself against the allegations made against him by the US Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia in relation to purchase of Aircraft, Aircraft spares and Aircraft maintenance”.

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”None of the allegations involve any third party funds but relate to his funds utilized in the Airline business. There is no allegation that any Bank in the United States, Nigeria or elsewhere], Company or individual suffered any financial or any loss whatsoever”.

“The allegations are unfounded and strange to him.

”Allen Onyema has a track record built on honesty and integrity and will take all necessary steps to clear his good name and hard-earned reputation. He looks forward to an opportunity to rebut these allegations in Court.”

Recall that the Northern District of Georgia Attorney charged the chairman with bank fraud and money laundering for moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplanes.

Also charged with bank fraud and committing aggravated identity theft in connection with the scheme is Ejiroghene Eghagha, the airline’s chief of Administration and Finance.

Reacting to the allegations Onyema denied the fraud and money laundering charges against him by the United States of America government, saying that he has never conducted business with any illegalities.

He said, ”I never took a penny from any US bank or Nigerian bank. I am willing to defend my innocence in the US courts.”