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Nigerian youth leaders question ‘sudden indictment’ of Air Peace Chief Onyema

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Nigerian youth leaders question ‘sudden indictment’ of Air Peace Chief Onyema

A coalition, under the aegis of Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum (NENYLF) has expressed worries over what they described as “sudden purported indictment” of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, by the United States Department of Justice.

The Justice Department had said in a statement over the weekend that it had charged Onyema with bank fraud and money laundering.

He was alleged to have moved more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplanes.

But the coalition in a statement also at the weekend said as much as it appreciated the involvement of judiciary through the office of the US Attorney, that there was, however, compelling reason to question the sudden indictment.

The statement was signed by Alhaji Yerima Shetimma, chairman, NENYLF/President, Arewa Consultative Youth Forum; Aare Oladotun Hassan, Esq. secretary general, NENYLF/ President, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide; Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, deputy chairman, NENYLF/ President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide; Barr Pereotubo Oweilaemi, Publicity Secretary, NENYLF/President, Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide.

The statement read in part:

“We have been following with keen interest the conflicting narratives coming out of the United States regarding the purported indictment of Nigeria’s foremost philanthropist, Mr Allen Ifechukwu Athan Onyeama.

“As law-abiding citizens, we recognize the involvement of the US Court and would not want to take a prejudicial stand on the matter. But much as we appreciate the involvement of Judiciary through the Office of the US Attorney, we feel there is a compelling reason to question this sudden purported indictment of a Nigerian who has been doing business for decades in the US, and for many years he has never been found wanting until now.

“This raises fundamental questions about the bad timing and the growing suspicion of many Nigerians over the motive behind targeting our own distinguished Allen Ifeanyichukwu Onyeama: a detribalized Nigerian per excellence.

“We are beginning to see a pattern that portends more of smacks of a conspiracy by his business rivals in Nigeria, working together with their American and other foreign collaborators to rubbish one of the few outstanding a philanthropist in Nigeria.

“Onyeama has since built a longstanding reputation of a peace promoter who brokered peace between the late President Yaradua-led Federal Government and militants of the Niger-Delta, using his well-known platform of peace and reconciliation, beyond Niger-Delta, Onyeama has left his indefatigable footprint as a patriotic man 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.

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“It was the same Onyeama who worked tirelessly to broker peace between the Coalition of Northern Groups and Igbos when it culminated into the quit notice issued on all Igbo residents in the North. He ensures that the Coalition of Northern Groups ‘Kaduna Declaration’ against Igbos was withdrawn and peace reigned in the end.

“It smacks of a grand conspiracy to see how the man is being prejudicially molested, pushed and pulled in many directions with accusations yet to be determined via a fair hearing trial by any court of competent jurisdiction in his fatherland, much less that of the United States.”

The youth leaders said they could perceive that “the ongoing US Attorney’s media trial as a well concerted and concocted evil machinations by some global aviation giants and business rivals, in connivance with their American collaborators.”

They, therefore, state as follows:

1. Much as Nigerians will not object a legal action by any court in the world, we will never, ever fold our arms akimbo and watch helplessnessly 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.

2. We would like to draw the attention of his Nigeria business rivals in the aviation sector, that we suspect high-level complicity and conspiracy theory by some of his sworn enemies working hand-in-hand with their American partners to destroy Onyeama Air Peace Airline and other investments.

Consequently we shall explore all available legitimate legal means in defending one of the most exemplary Nigerian and ambassador of peace and uncommon investor, hence Mr. Onyeama deserves our unflinching supports.

READ MORE: MONEY LAUNDERING: See the charges against Air Peace chief, Allen Onyema

3. We call on fellow Nigerians, leaders of thoughts and civil society organizations in the country to rise up to this new judicial brigandage designed to destroy our own in a foreign land, we believe no American citizen can be submitted by the American government nor subjected to face this type of brutal attack of legal tyranny, precipitating our clarion call on the Federal government of Nigeria to urgently intervene and approach this matter diplomatically.

4. This is indeed a time to tell the whole world, including United States officials holding and dragging Onyeama into this unforgivable duel, that enough of premeditated planned harassment of this great Nigerian.

5. We make bold to say that at this crucial moment in the history of our beloved country what we need is more of Allen Onyeama.

More so we are more determined to pull our love in unison in support of a dynamic and unique Nigerian: Onyeama; a great man with a heart of gold and sympathy love for the downtrodden Nigerians.

6. It is our conviction that the Air Peace CEO is an exemplary silver-lining not only in Nigeria but in the entire continent of Africa and globally.

We stand with Onyeama!”

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