Fraud Watch
Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema Indicted: Uncovering the Web of Bank Fraud and Money Laundering
Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema and Finance Chief Ejiroghene Eghagha Face New Charges in US Court.
Allen Onyema, Chairman and CEO of Nigerian airline Air Peace, and his Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, have been charged with obstruction of justice in a US federal court. The duo allegedly submitted false documents to shut down an investigation into earlier charges of bank fraud and money laundering.
Alleged Financial Scheme
Onyema is accused of using his airline company to commit fraud on the US banking system, laundering over $16 million in proceeds. He allegedly used false documents to purchase aircraft and opened multiple personal and business bank accounts in Atlanta, receiving over $44.9 million from international sources.
Initial Charges
Onyema and Eghagha were initially indicted in 2019 on charges including:
– Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
– Bank fraud
– Money laundering
– Conspiracy to commit credit application fraud
– Credit application fraud
New Obstruction Charges
The superseding indictment alleges Onyema attempted to use false documents again to derail the investigation. Onyema and Eghagha face additional charges, including:
– Obstruction of justice
– Conspiracy to obstruct justice
Investigation
The case is part of a larger effort by law enforcement to combat financial crimes and protect the US banking system. Multiple agencies are involved, including the DEA, IRS, and Homeland Security.
Trial
The defendants are presumed innocent, and the government must prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
US Attorney’s Response
US Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated, “Onyema and his co-defendant allegedly committed additional crimes to derail the government’s investigation. The diligence of our federal investigative partners revealed the defendants’ alleged obstruction scheme.”
DEA Response
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, added, “These cases represent our commitment to identifying and holding accountable those engaged in fraud and money laundering.”
IRS Response
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Lisa Fontanette of the IRS-Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office noted, “Allegedly, Onyema and his accomplices fraudulently used the US banking system… Our dedication to neutralizing threats from criminal organizations remains unwavering.”
Trial Details
The case is criminal action number 1:19-CR-464. Onyema, 61, and Eghagha, 42, both of Lagos, Nigeria, face:
– Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
– Bank fraud
– Money laundering
– Conspiracy to commit credit application fraud
– Credit application fraud
– Obstruction of justice
– Conspiracy to obstruct justice
– Aggravated identity theft
Public Reminder
The public is reminded that the indictments only contain charges, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Fraud Watch
Benin Court Jails Seven for Online Scams and Fraud
Seven Internet Fraudsters Sentenced in Benin City.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of seven internet fraudsters in Benin City. The convicts, Johnson Matthew Ebosa, Marvelous Osayenma, Imoniwe Joshua, Michael Agbowemeh San, Alvin Nosakhare Osareni, Procoius Imoniwe, and Mike Ajufo, were sentenced by Justice A.N Erhabor of the Edo State High Court.
Charges and Sentences
– Johnson Matthew Ebosa: Three years imprisonment or N200,000 fine for possessing documents containing false pretence.
– Marvelous Osayenma: Three years imprisonment or N200,000 fine.
– Imoniwe Joshua: Three years imprisonment or N200,000 fine.
– Michael Agbowemeh San: Two years imprisonment or N200,000 fine.
– Alvin Nosakhare Osareni: Two years imprisonment or N200,000 fine.
– Procoius Imoniwe: Three years imprisonment or N200,000 fine.
– Mike Ajufo: Two years imprisonment or N200,000 fine.
Additional Consequences
The convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, and bank account funds to the Federal Government of Nigeria. They must also provide written undertakings to behave henceforth.
Fraud Watch
Kaduna Courts Jail Seven for Internet Fraud and Money Laundering [Photos]
Kaduna Courts Sentence Seven to Prison for Fraud.
The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of seven individuals for various fraud-related offenses before Justices R.M. Aikawa and Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, and Justice A. Isiaka of the State High Court.
Convicted Individuals and Sentences
– Agbecha Fanem Samson (a.k.a Michelle Pfeiffer): Five years imprisonment or N500,000 fine for money laundering.
– Shamsudeen Abdulkarim Alubankudi (a.k.a. Keren Adler): Three years imprisonment or N500,000 fine for impersonation and cybercrime.
– Paul Bukar Wadai (a.k.a. Odd Murphy): Seven years imprisonment or N700,000 fine.
– Onomza Emmanuel Gwamna (a.k.a. Dave Owen): Two years imprisonment or N600,000 fine.
– Godswill Victor Effiong: Three years imprisonment or N700,000 fine.
– Esogban Godtemple (a.k.a Lahm Moses): Five years imprisonment or N600,000 fine.
– Odeyale Victor (a.k.a Candice Weiss): Two years imprisonment or N600,000 fine.
The convicts pleaded guilty to separate one-count charges bordering on money laundering, impersonation, and cybercrime. In addition to their prison terms, they forfeited their phones, a computer, a Lexus car, and proceeds of crime traced to their bank accounts to the federal government.
See Photos Below;
Fraud Watch
EFCC Nabs Two for Money Laundering in Abuja [Photos]
EFCC Arrests Abuja Duo for Alleged Money Laundering.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two men, Joshua Ndu and Michael Uchenna, in Abuja for suspected money laundering and internet-related crimes. The arrests were made on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Al-Gamji Estate in the Guzape axis of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following intelligence linking them to the criminal activities.
Items recovered from Ndu include:
– Luxury Vehicles: Mercedes Benz E350 (2019 model) and Range Rover (2016 model)
– Electronics: Apple laptop and iPhone 15 Pro Max
– Jewelry: Cartier wristwatch and two necklaces
While Uchenna had:
– Electronics: iPhone 12 Pro Max and Apple MacBook Pro laptop.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests, stating that the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
See Photos Below;
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