Respite has come the way of Allen Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Air Peace, following the ruling clearing him of business fraud allegations by an Atlanta district court.
This came after three long years of investigation, involving five agencies of the US government.
Onyema was indicted in a suit filed by Northern District of Georgia’s Attorney but the court ruled that there was no evidence to show loss to any bank.
It ordered Ebony Mayfield, a former Springfield Aviation Company staff, to pay $4000 fine and serve probation.
Onyema’s counsel, Augustine Alegeh & Co., debunked the stories, which were circulated in Nigeria, claiming that their client paid $20,000 to Mayfield for fraudulent activities.
“Our clients never took loans or credit from any American Bank and Mayfield was never paid the sum of $20,000 at any time to commit any fraud, as it is being peddled in some quarters,” the counsel said.
“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.
“Mayfield, like other Springfield Aviation Company Inc. staff, was only paid her bi-weekly salary and/or allowances.
“Our clients maintain their innocence in the matter and state that all steps taken in respect of the Letters of Credit were taken in good faith and with legitimate funds.”
Furthermore, the legal counsel insisted that: “All the aircraft involved were brought into Nigeria and utilised in the operations of Air Peace Limited. There was no victim. There was no loss of funds to any person and there was no criminal intent whatsoever.
“Our client’s position has been reviewed by various Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria and no evidence of criminality has been established against them. Our Clients remain resolute in the assertion of their innocence.”
