*Absolves Eghagha, Air Peace Ltd
*US Govt admits no loss by any bank
*Says no prison sentence, no home detention
*Our clients followed due process in purchase of aircraft- Alegeh SAN
The District Court in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, on Friday, cleared the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace Limited, Mr Allen Onyema, of any wrongdoing and alleged involvement in money laundering over the purchase of aircraft in the US for commercial use.
The US court also absolved Ejiro Eghagha and Air Peace Limited over alleged involvement in fraud and money laundering.
The clearance was sequel to the conclusion of the indictment filed against Ebony Mayfield by the US Attorney for Northern District of Georgia at the District Court in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday.
Ebony Mayfield, an American woman and a former staff of Springfield Aviation Company Inc., was also given probation and a fine of $4000 fine respect of the Criminal Indictment filed against her by the US Attorney for Northern District of Georgia after an investigation spanning over three years and involving about five Agencies of the US Government.
It is instructive to note that Ebony was an administrative staff with limited knowledge in Letter of Credit Transactions.
She also entered into a plea bargain agreement and pleaded guilty to one count charge in the indictment, as she realized the futility of attempting to explain several Letters of Credit utilized for purchase of Aircraft for Air Peace Limited in a Jury trial.
For the record, Probation is the lowest possible sentence available under the US Federal Law while Ebony was not given any prison sentence, confinement or home detention by the court.
Reacting to the US court verdict, the lead lawyer to Onyema, Eghagha and Air Peace Limited, Mr Augustine Alegeh (SAN), said that the development confirmed the position of his clients that there was no fraudulent intent in all the Letters of Credit, saying that there was no victim in any way, manner or form.
In a statement dated Friday, October 28, 2022 and made available to TheIdeal, Alegeh said that all the funds involved in the purchase of the aircraft were legitimate funds belonging to his clients.
The Senior Advocate said, “ There was no loss of money or any damage whatsoever to any Third Party. The US Government admitted in court today (Friday) that no bank suffered any financial loss in this matter.
“There have been false and unsubstantiated press stories in Nigeria, about the Indictment and Ebony Mayfield.
“Our clients never took loans or credit from any US Bank and Ebony was never paid the sum of $20,000.00 at any time to commit any fraud, as is being peddled by a section of the Nigerian press.
“Ebony, like other Springfield Aviation Company Inc. staff was only paid her bi-weekly salary and/or allowances. These stories are far from the truth and are deliberately being peddled by a section of the Nigerian press for ulterior motives.
“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.”
Alegeh further said, “Our clients’ position has been reviewed by various Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria and no evidence of criminality has been established against our clients. Our clients remain resolute in the assertion of innocence.”
