After three years of investigation involving five U.S. federal agencies, the District Court in Atlanta, Georgia has cleared Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace, of all charges relating to business fraud.
This legal outcome marks the conclusion of a prolonged investigation that had generated significant attention across multiple sectors.
The initial indictment was filed by the Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, but the court found no financial loss incurred by any bank. However, in connection with the case, a former employee of Springfield Aviation Company Inc., Ebony Mayfield, was fined $4,000 and sentenced to probation last Friday.
The charges against Mayfield, who served as an administrative staff member, were related to her involvement in handling Letters of Credit for the purchase of aircraft on behalf of Air Peace.
Mayfield’s Limited Role Acknowledged
A statement from Augustine Alegeh & Co., the law firm representing Air Peace, clarified that Mayfield had only limited knowledge of the Letter of Credit transactions and had pleaded guilty to one count as part of the indictment. The firm emphasized that her probation represents the lowest possible sentence under U.S. federal law, and stressed that there were no significant losses or damages resulting from her actions.
The firm further highlighted the inaccuracies in certain reports within Nigeria, which falsely claimed that Onyema and Air Peace were involved in fraudulent activities. “Our clients never took loans or credit from any American bank,” the firm stated, dispelling rumors of alleged misappropriation.
No Financial Losses Incurred
Importantly, the U.S. government conceded during the trial that no bank suffered financial harm as a result of the transactions. All funds used for the aircraft purchases were legitimate, the firm asserted.
“There was no loss of money or any damage whatsoever to any third party. The American government admitted in court that no bank suffered any financial loss in the matter,” the law firm confirmed.
Legitimate Transactions Confirmed
The legal team reiterated that all transactions involving the Letters of Credit were conducted in good faith, adding that the aircraft acquired through these transactions were brought into Nigeria and fully deployed in Air Peace’s operations. “Our clients maintain their innocence and affirm that all steps taken were with legitimate funds,” the firm explained.
The exoneration of Onyema and the absence of any financial victims signal the end of a complex legal ordeal for Air Peace and its leadership. The case has been closely monitored by various law enforcement agencies in both the U.S. and Nigeria, with no criminal findings against Onyema or his company.
