The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has been cleared of business fraud allegations by an Atlanta district court.
The ruling comes after a three-year investigation involving five US government agencies.
The court found no evidence of loss to any bank in the indictment suit filed by the Northern District of Georgia’s Attorney. Instead, Ebony Mayfield, a former Springfield Aviation Company staff, was ordered to pay a $4000 fine and serve probation.
Mayfield pleaded guilty to one count, reportedly due to the complexity of explaining Letters of Credit transactions in a jury trial.
Allen Onyema’s counsel, Augustine Alegeh & Co., debunked the stories circulated in Nigeria, alleging $20,000 payments to Mayfield for fraudulent activities. However, the American government confirmed no bank suffered financial losses.
“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,” the legal counsel clarified.
It added, “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 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.”