The man who airlifted hundreds of Nigerians following xenophobic attacks in South Africa to the country without collecting a dime two months ago is in trouble.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema said to have spent N200 million for the airlift of Nigerians is facing extradition to United States of America as its District Court of the Northern District of Georgia has issued a warrant of arrest against him.
The U.S. Marshals Service were authorised by the warrant signed by Magistrate of the court Justin Anand, to take Mr. Onyema into custody.
Recall several online newspapers reported on Friday that the US Attorneys office in Georgia had alleged that the Chairman, CEO, and founder of Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, was indicted over alleged bank fraud and money laundering scheme.
Onyema was accused of moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplanes.
On Saturday, he denied the fraud allegations by the USA, stating that they are false and are in no way in line with his character as a person and as a business man whose only aim has been to build Nigeria and improve wellbeing.
But the extradition treaty between Nigeria and the United States which allows the extradition of suspects in both countries facing criminal charges might be invoked following the issuance of the warrant of arrest.
See the warrant of arrest as obtained by Premium Times;
Earlier, a press statement issued by Onyema on Saturday reads:
“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 LC 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,” Onyema stated.
