Allen Onyema, the Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, has been indicted in the United States for obstruction of justice. He is accused of submitting false documents to authorities in an attempt to halt an investigation into earlier charges of bank fraud and money laundering.
Alongside Onyema, Ejiroghene Eghagha, the airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, was also charged with involvement in both the obstruction scheme and the prior allegations of bank fraud.
U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan remarked, “Onyema allegedly used his airline as a front for fraudulent activities targeting the U.S. banking system. When facing investigation, both Onyema and his co-defendant are accused of attempting to obstruct the inquiry by committing further fraud.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office released the indictment on October 11, 2024, crediting the investigation to their federal partners. Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Atlanta Division, emphasized their commitment to bringing to justice those involved in financial crimes and fraud.
Air Peace Limited, in response, reassured its customers that Onyema and Eghagha will be proven innocent, stating that their legal team is diligently handling the situation. The airline confirmed that the expanded charges stem from an ongoing legal process, but maintained that Onyema and Eghagha remain innocent until proven guilty.
In their statement on October 13, 2024, Air Peace assured the public that its operations would continue without interruption.
“Our team remains dedicated to providing the best aviation services, and we are confident that the truth will emerge through due process,” the statement read.
The initial charges against Onyema date back to a 2019 indictment, when he was accused of bank fraud and money laundering. U.S. authorities allege that between 2010 and 2018, Onyema transferred over $20 million through U.S. bank accounts using falsified documents related to airplane purchases. Eghagha was also implicated in the scheme.
The documents allegedly involved the purchase of five Boeing 737 planes through Springfield Aviation, a company owned by Onyema but falsely represented in transactions.
Investigators claim that Springfield Aviation did not actually own any aircraft, and that millions of dollars were laundered through this setup.
In 2019, when Onyema learned he was under investigation, he allegedly submitted falsified contracts to U.S. authorities in an effort to obstruct the investigation and unfreeze his bank accounts. Both Onyema and Eghagha were later indicted for obstruction of justice on October 8, 2024.
Onyema and Eghagha face several charges, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, multiple counts of bank fraud, and money laundering. The charges are part of a broader investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS, Homeland Security, and other agencies.
While the legal process continues, both defendants maintain their innocence, and the case will be determined in court, where the U.S. government bears the burden of proof.
