The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-cultural Association and National Committee of Yoruba Youths, have expressed worries over the sudden indictment of the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema in the United States, US, for fraud.
The groups warned that they won’t fold their arms and allow the alleged persecution of the Air Peace Chairman.
In a statement signed by Comrade Odeyemi Oladimeji and Engr. Saleh Alhassan the National Secretary, the groups lamented that Onyema’s sudden indictment portends international conspiracy to rubbish one of the few outstanding entrepreneurs in Africa.
The statement reads: “The sudden purported indictment of Barr Allen Onyema who has been doing business for decades in the US, and for many years he has never been found wanting until now, raises fundamental questions about the bad timing and the growing suspicion of many Nigerians over the motive behind targeting our own distinguished Allen Onyeama.
“Onyema has over the years built a reputation of integrity, a promoter of peace and a hard-working man, and cannot be allowed to be dragged in the mud by a western conspiracy.”
The groups also said the airline boss has been impacting the continent with footprint of integrity as a Nigerian dedicated to the service of Nigeria and Nigerians in difficult situations at various points in time, using his hard-earned income and God-given wealth of wisdom.
“As law-abiding citizens, we will not object to any process aimed at promoting transparency and accountability. Yet, we will not fold our arms akimbo and watch helplessly and hopelessly as one of our finest is being coerced and pulled down in broad daylight, without an iota of any subsisting clear evidence from a joint investigation between the US law enforcement agencies and Nigeria counterparts to determine the veracity of the claims before unleashing this dreadful move, deliberately aimed at tainting the image of Onyeama.”
Meanwhile, the founder of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike, on Tuesday alleged that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government was behind the plot by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to probe the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema.
Uwazuruike, who stated this while speaking with journalists insisted that the planned probe was not only a ‘witch-hunt against Onyema but persecution against the Igbo race.’
Insisting that Onochie spoke the mind of the presidency, Uwazurike warned that Igbos will rise against any plan to humiliate Onyema.
Uwazuruike, who is also the leader of the Biafran Independent Movement (BIM), said: “There are lots of prominent people in this country whom the civil society organisations have even petitioned the EFCC against over alleged money laundering and the commission has not probed them.
He said “I am an Igbo and it is my responsibility to defend Igbos which Onyema is one of them and I tell you that I have all is takes to resist FG from persecuting my people.
“We have been pushed to the wall by the federal government and Onyema’s case will prove a point, so he should not be intimidated and must remain firm.”
The US State Department of Justice (DoJ), had in a statement posted on its website, said Air Peace Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, has also been charged with bank fraud and committing aggravated identity theft in connection with the scheme.
But, reacting, Onyeama said all money transferred to the US went through the CBN, adding that the allegations were false and were in no way in line with his character as a person and as a businessman.
