U.S. Court Reissues Arrest Warrant for Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema Over $20 Million Fraud Case

A U.S. court has reissued an arrest warrant for Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace Limited, amidst ongoing allegations of a $20 million bank fraud.

The federal court in Northern Georgia renewed the warrant on October 9, following additional charges against Onyema and his co-defendant, Ejiroghene Eghagha, Air Peace’s Chief of Administration and Finance. The new charges, filed on October 8, include obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice, bringing the total charges to 38, including conspiracy, money laundering, bank fraud, and identity theft.

The original warrant, issued in 2019, allowed U.S. Marshals to apprehend the suspects if they entered Canadian jurisdiction.

U.S. prosecutors allege that Onyema funneled funds from Nigeria to American bank accounts between 2017 and 2018, claiming they were for aircraft purchases. The funds allegedly passed through Onyema’s U.S.-based firm, Springfield Aviation, ostensibly to acquire planes for Air Peace. However, prosecutors argue that Springfield Aviation neither owned nor sold the planes mentioned in bank documents, which were allegedly falsified to mislead U.S. banks.

Prosecutors further allege that Eghagha fabricated purchase agreements and other documents submitted to banks. Ebony Mayfield, hired by Onyema in 2016 as Springfield’s manager, signed off on these documents despite lacking aviation or financial experience. Mayfield, a former bartender and waitress, was sentenced in 2022 to three years’ probation for her role.

Additional charges stem from Onyema’s alleged response to the U.S. investigation in 2019. Prosecutors claim he directed Mayfield to sign an undated contract later presented with a falsified date to impede the investigation, forming the basis for the new obstruction charges.

In response to the superseding indictment, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan accused Onyema of using Air Peace as a “cover” for bank fraud. IRS Assistant Special Agent Lisa Fontanette also condemned Onyema’s alleged misuse of the U.S. banking system to hide funds.

Air Peace has defended Onyema, calling the charges “mere allegations” and asserting his cooperation with U.S. authorities. The airline reassured the public that the legal proceedings would not impact its operations, emphasizing its commitment to safety and reliability.