Allen Onyema, 56 years old Nigerian businessman and Chairman of Air Peace, reputed to be the biggest airline in West and Central Africa, has been indicted in a money laundering scheme, involving over $20 million in the United States state of Atlanta.

Also indicted alongside Onyema was the airline chief of administration and finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha.

He was charged with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with the alleged laundering of the over $20 million.

Onyema,  and Eghagha were indicted on November 19, 2019, on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit credit application fraud, and three counts of credit application fraud.

In addition,  Onyema was charged with 27 counts of money laundering, and Eghagha was charged with one count of aggravated identity theft.

“Onyema allegedly leveraged his status as a prominent business leader and airline executive while using falsified documents to commit fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.

“We will diligently protect the integrity our banking system from being corrupted by criminals, even when they disguise themselves in a cloak of international business.”

Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division commented on the indictment, “Allen Onyema’s status as a wealthy businessman turned out to be a fraud. He corrupted the U.S. banking system, but his trail of deceit and trickery came to a skidding halt. DEA would like to thank the many law enforcement partners and the subsequent prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office who aided in making this investigation a success.”