$44.9m wire deals: EFCC special panel to investigate Air Peace boss Onyema

[Edoman]

$44.9m wire deals: EFCC special panel to investigate Air Peace boss Onyema

• Two banks for probe too as agency gets charges • US moves to seize $14.2m in airline chief's accounts
November 24, 2019

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 Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation and Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

 

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has waded into the $44.9 million wire fraud and money laundering case against Air Peace Chief Executive Allen Ifechukwu Athan Onyema hours after his indictment in the United States (US).

The EFCC, it was learnt, on Saturday raised what sources referred to as a ”special panel” to investigate the matter shortly after receiving the charges against Onyema.

Onyema was indicted along with his finance officer, Ejiroghene Eghagha, by the US Department of Justice (DoJ).

They were accused of “moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through some United States banks in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplanes.”

Eghagha, who is the international airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, was also accused of bank fraud and committing aggravated identity theft in connection with the scheme.

The EFCC is also investigating two Nigerian banks for allegedly facilitating the transfer of the money to the US and processing letters of credit to buy planes for Air Peace.

The probe, The Nation gathered, would cover the activities and inflows into the accounts of four non-governmental organisations (NGOs) /non-profit groups sponsored by Onyema.

They are Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, International Centre for Non-Violence and Peace Development, All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited and Every Child Limited.

Onyema has since denied the allegations against him and stated his readiness to travel to the US to defend himself.

His lawyer, A. O. Alegeh, said in a statement in Lagos, at the weekend,  that Onyema “strongly denies and will vigorously defend himself against the allegations made against him by the US Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia in relation to the purchase of aircraft, aircraft spares and aircraft maintenance”.

The US government is seeking the forfeiture of  $14,246,536.6million left in some accounts linked with Onyema in the US and Canada.

The funds comprise $4,017,852.51 in JP Morgan Chase Bank in the US and $4,593,842.05 and $5,634,842.04 in the Bank of Montreal, Canada.

One of the legs of the EFCC probe is to ascertain whether Onyema is fronting for some politically exposed persons in the country.

A source said: “Upon the receipt of the charges, the EFCC chairman raised a team to probe the allegations against Onyema  Eghagha, who were prominently mentioned in the indictment charges by the United States Government.

“The EFCC team is working on what I may term the ‘Nigerian components’ of the indictment including suspicious huge transfer of funds abroad, alleged abuse of letters of credit and money laundering.

“In fact, the Acting EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu directed the team members to work round the clock at the weekend because it is a case we must work on with speed.

“We are also interested in the roles played by two banks in the country including one that has been on our radar for a while for money laundering. This same bank was implicated in the $115million poll bribery scam in 2015 for which former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke is wanted for trial.

“We need to act because in the indictment, the US indicated its plans to freeze some funds linked with Onyema in some accounts within and outside its jurisdiction. It is standard practice to have collaboration with sister organisations all over the world.  We cannot wait till the last minutes before playing our roles.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “Certainly, our crack team will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities and remittances into the accounts of the four non-governmental organisations (NGOs) /non-profit groups of Onyema.

“Our immediate suspicion is that these four groups are likely to be tools for money laundering. The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), tax bodies and other agencies will assist on the status of these organisations.

“We have directed our detectives to ascertain or otherwise if Onyema is allegedly serving as a front for some politically exposed persons (PEPs).”

The source added: “The EFCC may also investigate other persons or groups that have assisted Onyema in one way or the other on the allegations against him. The indictment spoke of known and unknown persons.”

In the charges against Onyema and Eghagha, they were accused of using the money to buy luxury cars, including a Rolls Royce for $180,000 and Mercedes for $88, 500 among others.

Onyema was also said to have spent thousands of dollars on personal purchases at Atlanta Georgia locations of Prada, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Louis Vuitton, the Apple Store and various airlines.

It was alleged that the total amount Onyema spent on aircraft acquisition for his airline exceeded $3million.

Onyema: I’m not dubious

Airline magnate Alex Onyema  yesterday said it is not in his character to be dubious, describing the fraud allegations against him as false.

In a statement in Lagos, he 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 wellbeing.

”As the press statement clearly stated,  these are indictment that only contains 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 Letter of Credit 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”.

Allegations unfounded, strange, says lawyer

Embattled Air Peace Chief Alex Onyema yesterday denied the fraud allegations against him.

His lawyer, A. O. Alegeh in a statement in Lagos 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. None of the allegations involve any third party funds but relate to his funds utilised 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.”

Airline’s finance chief refutes allegations

Air Peace Executive Director Mrs. Ejiro Eghagha yesterday denied allegations of money laundering levelled against her in the United States.

In a statement, her lawyer A.O Alegeh said: “On behalf of Mrs Ejiro Eghagha, we hereby state that she strongly denies and will vigorously defend herself against the allegations made against her by the US Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia in relation to purchase of aircraft, aircraft spares and aircraft maintenance for her employer.

None of the allegations involve any third party funds but relate to funds belonging to her employer and 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 her. Mrs Ejiro Eghagha has built her reputation as a seasoned, honest and responsible person and will take all necessary steps to clear her good name and hard earned reputation. She looks forward to an opportunity to rebut these allegations in Court.”

 

[Edoman]

Allen Onyema And Egahaga Should Resign During The Fraud Trial To Save Air Peace


In order to save the airlines image and allow it to run freely during the period that the fraud trial of the two individual will last in the US courts,
The best thing would be for the its chairman and CFO Allen onyema and Egahaga to step down from their roles in the company pending their clearance from court of all corrupt charges.

Mr onyema who is a patriotic Nigerian that has created many jobs for Nigerians and West African and loves his people should allow that love for country to drive him to resign and save the company reputation from fraud until he is cleared from the allegations which I hope he will be cleared.

In the meantime his wife is the Vice chairman of air peace, she can take over as chairman and another person can take over as CFO of the airline pending their clearance.
This is the standard practice worldwide. If this is done it will in the meantime save the airlines a lot of trouble as they can open fresh business account in the USA devoid of signatories of people facing financial fraud charges in the US courts.
This will enhance the operational efficiency of the airline.

Mr Onyema and Egahaga would now use the time away from the daily demands from the airline operations to focus squarely on the case against them.
By setting up a top US criminal defense team made of US lawyers, not the ones that am seeing making weak statements on Nigerian media.

This case might likely take a while for the trial to be concluded, so to save his company during this trial period, he should do the honorable thing by resigning as that will not be an admission of guilt but a strategic move to save Airpeace.

Once that is done the fraud case will now involve former Air Peace chairman and former CFO thereby creating the needed seperation for the Airline.

[Edoman]

EFCC Quizzes Allen Onyema Over $44.9 Million Wire Deals



 I. Onyema, and Onyema was the sole authorised signatory on both accounts.

“Between on or about March 2, 2016, and May 10, 2016, Wells 8020 received numerous wire transfers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars from his bank accounts domiciled in Nigeria, including but not limited to the bank account for All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited and Foundation for Ethnic Harmony.

“From March through May 2016, Onyema made numerous cash withdrawals from WF 8020 totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. WF 3417 was used to pay for personal expenses, including purchases at Atlanta, Georgia locations of Prada, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Louis Vuitton, the Apple Store, and various airlines.

“In March 2016, Onyema also used WF 8020 to purchase luxury cars, including a Roll Royce for $180,000 and a Mercedes for $88,500, among others.

“On or about November 14, 2017, Onyema opened a business savings account ending in 2151 (JPMC 2151) at a JP Morgan Chase Bank branch in Atlanta, Georgia. Both JPMC 5512 and JPMC 2151 were opened in the same name of Springfield Aviation Company, LLC, and Onyema was the sole authorized signatory on both accounts.

“In total, from 2010 through 12018, wire deposits amounting to over $44.9 million transferred from foreign accounts into Onyema’s Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and JP Morgan Chase accounts.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/alleged-44-9m-wire-deals-efcc-quizzes-air-peace-boss-onyema/

[Edoman]

Onyema’s Case Goes Tough As EFCC Seizes His Passports, Restricts His Movement



On the 23rd of November, 2019, Allen Ifechukwu Athan Onyema, the Chairman of Air Peace was charged with 27 counts of money laundering by one U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.

Mr. Byung said that Onyema moved more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplane.

The US court had since then issued a warrant to arrest Onyema and authorised US marshals service to bring him into custody.

In view of the above, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Sunday, went tough on him by seizing his passports and restricting his movement.

A source according to The Nation disclosed this.

His words, “Following his interaction with our detectives, it became imperative to restrict his movement to the country because we will need him from time to time.

“We have seized his passports for unfettered comprehensive investigation. And so far, he has cooperated with our team.

“During our interaction, he maintained his innocence. We have, however, made progress in our preliminary investigation”.

On the likelihood of extraditing Onyema to the US, the source added: “This depends on the MLAT between Nigeria and the US. For now, we are only investigating.

“The extradition process is within the purview of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. You should not forget that the EFCC has to investigate, establish prima facie case and arraigning the suspects in court before any extradition application can be initiated.

“The US government knows what to do as far as the invocation of the MLAT is concerned. We are only fulfilling our own part of the collaboration with the relevant US agencies.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/12/onyemas-case-goes-tough-as-efcc-seizes-his-passport-restricts-his-movement/

[Edoman]

Allen Onyema: South East Governors Show Support For Embattled Air Peace Boss 





$20m indictment: We stand with Onyema –South East Governors

The South East Governors Forum has come out in support of the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, over his indictment by the United States Department of Justice for allegedly laundering $20 million.

A statement signed by Governors Ifeanyi Uguwanyi (Enugu), Willie Obiano (Anambra), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), said even though the forum cannot claim to have the full knowledge of the matter, there are some insinuations it will not accept.

The forum said the insinuation that some government officials are against Onyema and would want to pull him down is a ploy to instigate hatred against him as he is ‘at peace’ with the Federal Government and has on various occasions, commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for assisting him get up to five international licenses.

The governors urged Buhari to support and protect Onyema to enable him sort out the matter peacefully so that his business, which t has contributed to the growth of the aviation industry will not suffer. The statement reads: “We have read a lot of comments by various individuals and interest groups on the matter.


“The insinuation that some Nigerians or some government officials are against Onyema and would want to pull him down by all means is a ploy to instigate hatred against him. He has remained in the aviation industry which is highly challenging in our country when many people could not cope.

Onyema is at peace with the Federal Government and has on various occasions, commended the president for assisting him get up to five international licenses. Many officials of Buhari’s administration had stood for him many times in promoting and encouraging Air Peace operations in and outside Nigeria.

Air Peace is a business and most businesses usually have one issue or the other to settle and this one is not an exception. We plead with Buhari to please continue to give Onyema all the necessary support and protection to enable him sort out this matter peacefully.

Onyema has highly assisted the aviation industry in Nigeria and we must all stand to defend this business. The governors of the South East will do everything within the law to support Onyema overcome this issue so as to continue to offer more excellent services to Nigeria. We request the US Ambassador to Nigeria to please step into the matter so as to peacefully resolve the issue without destroying Onyema’s reputation. We also urge Onyema to engage experienced and external financial managers to work with the US government in resolving and rectifying his business tax matter if any.”

Onyema is accused by the US authorities for allegedly laundering over $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents for the purchase of airplanes




https://www.sunnewsonline.com/20m-indictment-we-stand-with-onyema-south-east-governors/