- United States prosecutors have filed additional charges in the $20 million bank fraud case against Air Peace founder Allen Onyema
- Prosecutors claimed Onyema and his co-defendant, Ejiroghene Eghagha, submitted false documents in an attempt to obstruct the investigation
- The news has triggered strong reactions from Nigerians, with TheRadar compiling some of the public's responses
The United States (US) government has filed additional charges in the $20 million bank fraud case against Allen Onyema, the founder of the major Nigerian airline, Air Peace, sparking reactions from Nigerians.
Investigation exposes alleged obstruction by Onyema
Ryan Buchanan, the US Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia, provided details of the fresh charges against the businessman in a statement released on Friday, October 11.
The statement read, “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.
“The diligence of our federal investigative partners exposed the defendants’ alleged obstruction scheme, ensuring that they can now be held accountable for their aggravated conduct,” Buchanan stated.
US court seeks Onyema, co-defendant over fraud charges since 2019
While Mr Onyema denied any wrongdoing, he and his co-defendant, Air Peace’s Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, have been wanted by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta on bank fraud charges since 2019.
According to prosecutors, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provided fake documents to US authorities in 2019 in a bid to obstruct the investigation and regain access to his bank accounts in connection with the alleged $20 million fraud.
The news has prompted strong reactions from Nigerians.
Nigerians react to Allen Onyema’s fraud news
TheRadar compiled some of the public responses below:
“My country,my country, always in the foreign media for financial crimes issues. Too bad,” Jamie Frenzzy stated.
“Try to better your country or take money out of their pockets, they come for you. However, if fraud has truly been committed, dance to the beats of the drums,” Jude Speakz da God mentioned.
“Nigerian Men and their way 🏹 ,” Adam Bedemasi .M reacted.
“It is always a Nigerian 💔,” Terbz added.
“If you want to get to the top, you must be disciplined and do things right from the beginning of your success in life. Never compromised the right thing because, you may not know who is watching you. If you know how to escape justice in Nigeria, you can not in other countries,” Olamileka Omoyiola expressed.
“This issues have been on since Buhari regime before covid then the president step in I think it’s best he step down and allow someone else run air peace until everything is cleared na someone is trying to mess up his business,” Wize007 stated.
“Nigerians and fraud 5&6 unavoidable way of life,” Blessed son shared his opinion.
“If he is guilty make una hold am no gree 🫱🏻🫲🏼,” Razored commented.
“Another hushCEO. Good success is not magic but a process,” Olugbemiga stated.
Nigerian court sentences American businessman Ramirez to 74 years in jail for scam
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Marco Antonio Ramirez, an American businessman, received a 74-year prison sentence for defrauding victims of $1.2 million.
The court found Ramirez guilty on multiple charges, including $250,000 fraud, leading to 74-year sentence.