By Chinelo Obogo
Air Peace has denied allegations of obstruction of justice following the fraud charges filed in the US by the Department of Justice.
In a statement, the airline said it acknowledges the media reports surrounding its Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, and Chief of Finance and Administration, Mrs. Ejiro Eghagha, and seeks to address public concerns.
Last Friday, the U.S. accused Onyema of obstructing justice, with prosecutors claiming that he submitted forged documents to halt an investigation into prior charges of bank fraud and money laundering.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia accuse him and Eghagha of using fake export letters of credit to transfer over $20 million to Atlanta-based accounts controlled by Onyema in 2016.
But Air Peace said that the allegations are part of an ongoing legal process stemming from earlier accusations of financial misconduct.
“Both Dr. Onyema and Mrs. Eghagha maintain their innocence, and these are mere allegations. Our legal team is working tirelessly to ensure justice prevails, and we are confident that through due process, the truth will be revealed,” the airline said.
The airline reassured its customers and the public that the legal proceedings will not impact the safety, reliability, or daily operations of the airline. The company reiterated its commitment to providing exceptional service and upholding its reputation as a leading aviation provider in Nigeria.