Air Peace CEO and Associate Charged with Obstruction of Justice Amid Fraud Investigation

Allen Onyema, the Chairman, CEO, and founder of Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, faces a superseding indictment for obstruction of justice related to allegations of submitting false documents to the government in an effort to derail an investigation that had already resulted in charges of bank fraud and money laundering. Ejiroghene Eghagha, the airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, has also been charged for his involvement in the obstruction and the earlier bank fraud counts.

U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated, “After allegedly using his airline company as a cover to commit fraud on the United States’ banking system, Onyema, along with his co-defendant, allegedly committed additional crimes of fraud in a failed attempt to derail the government’s investigation of his conduct.” Buchanan emphasized the success of federal investigators in uncovering the alleged obstruction scheme.

Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, reaffirmed the commitment of the Drug Enforcement Administration to tackle fraud and money laundering crimes. “These cases represent the continued commitment of the Drug Enforcement Administration to identify and hold accountable those who engaged in fraud and money laundering,” he said.

According to Assistant Special Agent in Charge Lisa Fontanette from the IRS-Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office, “Allegedly, Onyema and his accomplices fraudulently used the U.S. banking system in an effort to hide the source of their ill-gotten money.” The indictment showcases the dedication of law enforcement partners to combat threats from criminal organizations.

The details of the case reveal that Onyema, a Nigerian citizen and businessman, frequently traveled to Atlanta between 2010 and 2018, opening multiple personal and business bank accounts. Allegations suggest that over $44.9 million was transferred into his Atlanta-based accounts from foreign sources.

Starting around May 2016, Onyema and Eghagha allegedly facilitated the transfer of over $20 million into Atlanta bank accounts controlled by Onyema using a series of export letters of credit. These letters were supposedly meant to fund the purchase of five Boeing 737 aircraft for Air Peace, backed by purchase agreements and other documentation. However, the documents were reportedly fabricated; Springfield Aviation Company LLC, purportedly selling the aircraft, was owned by Onyema and had no actual connection to aviation.

After the investigation began in May 2019, Onyema and Eghagha allegedly directed a Springfield Aviation manager to sign a critical business contract but instructed her not to date it. In October 2019, Onyema purportedly submitted a falsely dated version of that contract to the government to halt the investigation and unfreeze his accounts.

Onyema, 61, and Eghagha, 42, were initially indicted on November 19, 2019, on various counts, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud and multiple counts of money laundering. The recent superseding indictment, filed on October 8, 2024, adds one count of obstruction of justice and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.

The investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Commerce, and Department of Treasury. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett L. Bradford and Christopher J. Huber are prosecuting the case.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictments contain charges only, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.