Allen Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, is facing fresh legal challenges in the United States related to an ongoing money laundering investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia has issued a superseding indictment against Onyema and Ejiroghene Eghagha, Air Peace’s Chief of Administration and Finance, for allegedly attempting to obstruct justice by submitting false documents.
The indictment follows a lengthy investigation that began in 2019, focusing on allegations that Onyema laundered over $20 million from Nigeria through U.S. bank accounts under the pretense of purchasing airplanes. The U.S. authorities allege that the fraudulent documents were used to mislead the investigation into these activities.
In a statement on October 8, 2024, Clerk of the Court Kevin Weimer issued an arrest warrant for Eghagha in connection with her alleged role in the scheme. She faces charges of aggravated identity theft related to the case.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan elaborated on the new charges against the duo, stating, “Onyema, using his airline company as a cover, allegedly defrauded the U.S. banking system and later, along with his co-defendant, committed further crimes in a failed attempt to derail the government’s probe into his conduct.”
This recent development adds to the scrutiny surrounding Onyema and Eghagha, as they face serious allegations of fraud and obstruction of justice that could have significant legal repercussions.