How the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were welcomed to Nigeria by a fugitive airline boss wanted in the US over $20M money laundering operation

The recent visit of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Nigeria has stirred controversy due to their host, Dr. Allen Onyema, the CEO and Chairman of Air Peace, who is currently facing serious federal charges in the United States. Despite this, Onyema played a prominent role in welcoming the royal couple during their trip.

Air Peace CEO Dr. Allen Onyema was a key member of the welcoming committee for Harry and Meghan when they touched down in Nigeria last week. He's pictured chatting with the Duchess

Onyema, clad in navy attire, shades, and a red kufi hat, was among the dignitaries greeting the Sussexes as they arrived on an Air Peace flight from Abuja to Lagos on May 12. His presence alongside senior military and government officials was captured in photographs as the royal couple deboarded their aircraft.

Dressed in navy and wearing shades and a red kufi hat, Onyema was one of a small group of dignitaries, which included senior military and government officials, photographed alongside the Sussexes as they deboarded their Air Peace aircraft

However, what adds complexity to the situation is Onyema's legal troubles. He has been federally indicted in the U.S. since November 2019 for allegedly orchestrating a $20 million money laundering and bank fraud scheme. The indictment accuses Onyema of leveraging his status as a prominent businessman to launder money through U.S. bank accounts.

This juxtaposition of hosting royalty while facing serious legal charges raises questions about the due diligence in vetting hosts for such high-profile visits. The royal couple's interaction with Onyema during their tour of Nigeria has sparked public interest and scrutiny, highlighting the intersection of celebrity, diplomacy, and legal accountability.

Air Peace, founded by Dr. Allen Onyema just over a decade ago, has grown to become the largest airline in West Africa, operating internationally. However, recent revelations have shed light on Onyema's legal troubles in the United States. DailyMail.com reports that the 59-year-old businessman is wanted in the U.S. and is facing multiple charges related to alleged fraud amounting to millions of dollars.

DailyMail.com has exclusively learned that the 59-year-old businessman is wanted in the United States for a bank fraud scheme.

The federal indictment filed in November 2019 accuses Onyema of using his position as a prominent business leader and airline executive to launder more than $20 million from Nigeria through U.S. bank accounts. Despite these serious allegations, there is no indication that Prince Harry or Meghan Markle were aware of Onyema's history before their encounter with him during their visit to Nigeria.

There is no suggestion that either Harry or Meghan were aware of Onyema's history before they met him. Meghan is pictured being greeted by Onyema 

This situation underscores the importance of due diligence in vetting individuals and entities involved in high-profile engagements, especially when it comes to diplomatic visits and engagements involving members of royalty. Onyema's legal troubles have brought attention to the intersection of business, finance, and international relations, raising questions about accountability and transparency in the global business landscape.

Onyema is accused of using his status as a prominent business leader to launder more than $20million from Nigeria through US bank accounts

The revelation that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had initially planned to use a different airline but changed plans at the last minute adds another layer of intrigue to their encounter with Dr. Allen Onyema during their visit to Nigeria. This change in plans raises questions about the circumstances surrounding their decision to fly with Air Peace and the factors that influenced it.

Regarding the legal aspect, it's noteworthy that the charges against Onyema were filed by former U.S. Attorney Byung J 'BJay' Pak, who has since left office. The case is now under the purview of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Ryan Buchanan, who assumed the role in 2022. Pak's comments at the time of filing emphasized Onyema's alleged exploitation of his status as a prominent business figure to perpetrate fraud using falsified documents.

Robert Murphy, the agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta field division, characterized Onyema's facade of wealth as a deception, highlighting the alleged corruption of the U.S. banking system and emphasizing that Onyema's fraudulent activities had been exposed.

These statements underscore the severity of the allegations against Onyema and the impact of his actions on multiple fronts, including the financial sector and international business relations. The juxtaposition of his legal troubles with his role in hosting the royal couple during their visit to Nigeria adds complexity to the situation and raises broader questions about accountability and transparency in global business practices.

The details provided in the indictment paint a comprehensive picture of the alleged fraudulent activities involving Dr. Allen Onyema and his associate Ejiroghene Eghagha, the Chief of Administration and Finance at Air Peace.

Onyema is accused of using various organizations he founded in Nigeria, including the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, International Center for Non-Violence and Peace Development, and All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited, as fronts for his fraudulent schemes. Between 2010 and 2018, large sums of money, totaling over $44.9 million, were allegedly transferred into his Atlanta-based accounts from foreign sources.

Between 2010 and 2018 over $44.9million was allegedly transferred Onyema's Atlanta-based accounts from foreign sources

The indictment further alleges that Onyema used these funds, including over $3 million from the aforementioned organizations, to purchase multiple airplanes for Air Peace. However, investigators claim that these transactions were fraudulent, with fake supporting documents, such as purchase agreements, bills of sale, and appraisals, being used to deceive banks into transferring funds.

One notable aspect of the scheme involves the fictitious Springfield Aviation Company LLC, which Onyema purportedly used to facilitate the fraudulent aircraft purchases. Despite being owned by Onyema and managed by an individual with no aviation business experience, the company was presented as the seller of the aircraft in question. Additionally, a former staff member of Springfield Aviation Company, Ebony Mayfield, was sentenced for her involvement in the alleged scheme.

The charges against Onyema and Eghagha include conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to commit credit application fraud, credit application fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Both men maintain their innocence, and as of now, the charges against them remain pending.

The lack of response from Onyema and Eghagha to inquiries made to Air Peace's offices in Nigeria and the UK adds to the intrigue surrounding this case. It underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the potential legal ramifications faced by those involved in the alleged fraudulent activities.