The South East Governors Forum has come out in support of the
Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, over his indictment by the
United States Department of Justice for allegedly laundering $20
million.
A statement signed by Governors Ifeanyi Uguwanyi (Enugu), Willie
Obiano (Anambra), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo) and
Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), said even though the forum cannot claim to
have the full knowledge of the matter, there are some insinuations
it will not accept.
The forum said the insinuation that some government officials
are against Onyema and would want to pull him down is a ploy to
instigate hatred against him as he is ‘at peace’ with the Federal
Government and has on various occasions, commended President
Muhammadu Buhari, for assisting him get up to five international
licenses.
The governors urged Buhari to support and protect Onyema to
enable him sort out the matter peacefully so that his business,
which t has contributed to the growth of the aviation industry will
not suffer. The statement reads: “We have read a lot of comments by
various individuals and interest groups on the matter.
“The insinuation that some Nigerians or some government
officials are against Onyema and would want to pull him down by all
means is a ploy to instigate hatred against him. He has remained in
the aviation industry which is highly challenging in our country
when many people could not cope.
Onyema is at peace with the Federal Government and has on
various occasions, commended the president for assisting him get up
to five international licenses. Many officials of Buhari’s
administration had stood for him many times in promoting and
encouraging Air Peace operations in and outside Nigeria.
Air Peace is a business and most businesses usually have one
issue or the other to settle and this one is not an exception. We
plead with Buhari to please continue to give Onyema all the
necessary support and protection to enable him sort out this matter
peacefully.
Onyema has highly assisted the aviation industry in Nigeria and
we must all stand to defend this business. The governors of the
South East will do everything within the law to support Onyema
overcome this issue so as to continue to offer more excellent
services to Nigeria. We request the US Ambassador to Nigeria to
please step into the matter so as to peacefully resolve the issue
without destroying Onyema’s reputation. We also urge Onyema to
engage experienced and external financial managers to work with the
US government in resolving and rectifying his business tax matter
if any.”
Onyema is accused by the US authorities for allegedly laundering
over $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts
in a scheme involving false documents for the purchase of
airplanes.
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