“Go And Face Your Accusers In America”- Buhari’s Aide Tells Air Peace Boss, Allen Onyema

Lauretta Onochie, the Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on social media, has asked embattled Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema to return to the United States of America and face his accusers.

KanyiDaily had reported that the US Attorney’s office in the Northern District of Georgia accused Allen Onyema of money laundering “for moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplanes.”

“Onyema allegedly leveraged his status as a prominent business leader and airline executive while using falsified documents to commit fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.

Onyema was indicted along with his finance officer, Ejiroghene Eghagha, by the US Department of Justice (DoJ).

The Air Peace boss is believed to have worked as a consultant for the Niger Delta amnesty programme in charge of training repentant militants.

Reacting to the allegations in a series of tweets, Onochie said the United States only go after lawbreakers, therefore Onyema should go and clear his name.

Onochie recalled how funds meant for the Niger Delta amnesty programme were allegedly diverted into private pockets during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Onyema worked as a consultant to the presidential amnesty programme when Kingsley Kuku was special adviser to the ex-President. She tweeted:

“I do not understand what President Buhari has to do with Mr. Onyema of Air Peace being indicted and charged in the USA. According to our attorney-general, the Federal Government has not even been informed of the situation,” Onochie tweeted.

“American laws go after those who break them. What a man sows… How much has Nigeria invested in the Niger Delta amnesty programme, NDDC and 13 per cent derivation funds? All, mostly in a black hole (sic).

“Do we know the extent of poverty, ignorance and disease in the Niger Delta? Please let America too help us see how Niger Delta underdeveloped Niger Delta. Those of us from the Niger Delta who are the direct beneficiaries of the suffering that emanated from the looting of our wealth will tackle them. It is our war that is being fought.

“Laws, Nigerian or American, go after those who break them; so we must mind our business. QED! We are smarter now than ever before. Gradually, the scales of tribalism, religious affinity and political loyalty are falling off our eyes and being replaced by Nigerianism. Nigerians are not keen on tales by moonlight. Let him return to America to face his accusers.”

 

Meanwhile, Onyema has since denied the allegations against him and stated his readiness to travel to the US to defend himself.

Onyema said he is innocent of all charges and the US government will find no dirt on him because he has never conducted business with any illegalities.

The Air Peace boss said all the money transfer for the purchase of aircraft passed through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and were all used for the same purpose.