A U.S. court has acquitted Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace, of fraud charges after a three-year investigation involving five U.S. government agencies. The court found no evidence of fraudulent intent or financial loss to any party. Instead, Ebony Mayfield, a former Springfield Aviation Company staff member, was fined $4,000 and placed on probation for pleading guilty to one count in the indictment.
Mayfield had limited knowledge of the letter of credit transactions and was accused of improperly handling funds. The law firm representing Air Peace, Augustine Alegeh & Co., clarified that Mayfield was an administrative staff member with no expertise in the letter of credit transactions.
Key Findings:
No Financial Loss: No bank suffered financial loss in the matter, as admitted by the American government in court. No Fraudulent Intent: The court found no evidence of fraudulent intent by Allen Onyema or Air Peace.
Mayfield’s Guilt: Ebony Mayfield pleaded guilty to one count in the indictment and was fined $4,000.
The acquittal clears Onyema’s name, which had been tarnished by false and unsubstantiated stories in Nigeria. Air Peace maintains its innocence, stating that all transactions were legitimate and conducted in good faith ยน. The airline’s reputation has been vindicated, and it can continue to operate with integrity.
Reaction from Nigerians:
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to celebrate Onyema’s acquittal, praising his resilience and dedication to Air Peace. Some have also criticized those who spread false information about Onyema’s indictment. The news has sparked a renewed sense of pride in Nigerian entrepreneurship and the aviation industry.