In a significant legal victory, the District Court in Atlanta, Georgia, has acquitted Allen Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, of all charges related to business fraud. This ruling comes after a lengthy three-year investigation involving multiple U.S. government agencies and extensive legal proceedings.
The court found no evidence of financial loss to any bank in the indictment brought forth by the Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. However, the court did impose a probation period and a $4,000 fine on Ebony Mayfield, a former administrative staff member of Springfield Aviation Company Inc. Mayfield pleaded guilty to one count in the indictment, acknowledging the challenges of defending her actions regarding several Letters of Credit used for purchasing aircraft for Air Peace Limited.
A statement from the law firm Augustine Alegeh & Co., representing Air Peace, clarified that Mayfield had limited knowledge of Letter of Credit transactions and was only compensated with her bi-weekly salary and allowances during the investigation. Importantly, the court acknowledged that no bank suffered any financial loss in this case.
The firm emphasized that the court’s decision reaffirmed their clients’ position that there was no fraudulent intent associated with the Letters of Credit. “There was no victim, no financial loss, and no criminal intent whatsoever,” the statement read. All funds involved were legitimate and belonged to the clients, who acted in good faith throughout the process.
The firm further noted that various law enforcement agencies in Nigeria had reviewed the case and found no evidence of wrongdoing. “Our clients remain resolute in their assertion of innocence,” the firm concluded.
This ruling marks a pivotal moment for Allen Onyema and Air Peace, as they move forward from the allegations that have cast a shadow over the airline’s operations.
Credit to Business day