Air Peace CEO Cleared of Fraud Allegations

Atlanta District Court Dismisses Fraud Allegations

“Our clients never took loans or credit from any American Bank and Mayfield was never paid the sum of $20,000...”

Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema cleared of business fraud allegations by Atlanta court. No financial loss or victims found. Former employee Ebony Mayfield sentenced to probation and $4,000 fine. Learn more about the case and its outcome.

Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace, has been cleared of business fraud allegations by the District Court in Atlanta, Georgia, following a three-year investigation involving multiple US government agencies. The court found no financial loss to any bank related to the indictment brought by the Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. This outcome is a significant relief for Onyema and Air Peace.

In a related development, Ebony Mayfield, a former employee of Springfield Aviation Company Inc., was sentenced to probation and fined $4,000 on October 18. Mayfield, who had limited knowledge of Letter of Credit transactions, pleaded guilty to one count in the indictment. According to Augustine Alegeh & Co., the law firm representing Air Peace, Mayfield's probation sentence represents the lowest possible sentence under U.S. federal law.

Onyema and Ejiroghene Eghagha, Air Peace's Chief of Administration and Finance, were initially indicted on 35 charges of bank fraud and money laundering in 2019. However, the recent court decision has cleared Onyema's name. The law firm representing Air Peace emphasized that numerous false and unfounded claims have circulated in Nigeria regarding the indictment.

“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.

“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,” it clarified.

The court's decision reinforces the innocence of our clients, demonstrating that the Letters of Credit transactions were genuine and free from fraudulent intent, with no harm or loss to any party.

“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.

“All the aircraft involved were brought into Nigeria and utilized 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,” the firm declared.