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US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace - Politics (9) - Nairaland

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Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by Nobody: 3:31am On Sep 08, 2020
Nigeriacalls:
How are you my boo?So you are still doing this cheesy cheesy
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by olmoRoc: 4:07am On Sep 08, 2020
He invested the proceeds in Nigeria, and created employment for hundreds of people.

What about those buying up mansions and apartments all over Atlanta and other States with warm climate, and having fat bank accounts?

Maybe he would have been left off the hooks if he'd invested the proceeds in the States.
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by PeachtreeReside(f): 4:08am On Sep 08, 2020
[quote author=seunmsg post=93681722]

Why should the US be tired of investigating and exposing people that stole public funds? [/quote




They should keep exposing them so we won't be told lies of how they made it through dint of hardwork and savings.denying themselves of so many things.

Another set of perspiring to aspire
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by awoluyi(m): 4:58am On Sep 08, 2020
All the Nigerians mentioned in that report are "hard working people", so I don't believe the report.

1 Like

Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by Fleshly: 5:37am On Sep 08, 2020
OreMI22:
There is severe tribal hatred in Nigeria.
People just sit around and manufacture fake news from their continuous flow of evil thoughts for others. I have been searching the US DOJ and the internet for this news, yet nothing! Except the useless fake Nigerian website!


But thankfully that hatred doesn't affect anything in real life. Ndi ofemman.u have been doing everything to pull down Onyema but it ain't working for them.

3 Likes

Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by Dedetwo(m): 6:11am On Sep 08, 2020
stephanie11:


The United States Department of Justice has alleged that billions of naira stolen from the Presidential Amnesty Programme by a former head of the office, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, were transferred to bank accounts in the United States where they were laundered and used to purchase airplanes to start Air Peace as well as luxury homes and vehicles.

Kuku served as Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and was Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Office under President Goodluck Jonathan, who served from 2010-2015.

Air Peace, which was launched in 2013, is Nigeria’s largest carrier with a fleet size of about 23 airplanes. The revelation by the US DOJ clearly poses multiple challenges and risks for the airline if the US government successfully prosecutes the charges of money laundering in court.

THEWILL can report exclusively that the US DOJ which has been conducting a discreet investigation into Kuku and Air Peace, according to our sources with knowledge of development, formally wrote to the Nigerian government under the Treaty for Mutual Legal Assistance between both countries and asked for the transfer of the case files of investigations conducted on Mr. Kuku, who coincidentally was deported from the United States last year by the Department of Homeland Security over immigration fraud, Allen Onyema, the airlines’ CEO, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who allegedly laundered at least $8m from the Amnesty programme and other individuals and companies linked to Onyema.

The United States government describes Mr. Onyema as Kuku’s business partner, who laundered at least $44m through US bank accounts.

The DOJ in another letter about three weeks ago asked Nigeria for bank account records of “Air Peace Limited, Ifechukwu Allen Athan Onyema, Tarere Vivenne Kuku alias Nnamani Chika Vivienne, All Times Peace Media, Every Child Limited, Foundation of Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria and Allen Onyema and Company, Global Spectrum Energy Services Plc” amongst others.

“Records should be for the period between April 1, 2010, and the present…” the DOJ said in the letter seen by THEWILL.

In November last year, the United States DOJ in a statement announced Mr. Onyema’s indictment and charge for bank fraud and money laundering for moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplanes.

It also said the airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, was charged with bank fraud and committing aggravated identity theft in connection with the scheme.

“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.”

“This case is a prime example of why IRS-CI seeks to partner and leverage its expertise in an effort to thwart those seeking to exploit our nation’s financial system,” said Thomas J. Holloman, IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Office.

“With the importance of our banking system to the movement of money around the world, those attempting to use intricate schemes to commit bank fraud through the use of falsified documents and other means should know that the odds are now heavily stacked against them as law enforcement is combining its talents to protect the sanctity and integrity of the nation’s financial system.”

“Onyema setup various innocent sounding multi-million dollar asset purchases which were nothing more than alleged fronts for his scam,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in Georgia and Alabama. “I’m proud to be part of a team of law enforcement agencies that come together to identify and attack criminals that attempt to profit from the exploitation of our nation’s financial systems.”

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the indictment, and other information presented in court: Onyema, is the founder and Chairman of several organizations that purport to promote peace across Nigeria, including the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, International Center for Non-Violence and Peace Development, and All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited.

It said beginning in 2010, Onyema began travelling frequently to Atlanta, where he opened several personal and business bank accounts. Between 2010 and 2018, over $44.9 million was allegedly transferred into his Atlanta-based accounts from foreign sources.

In years following the founding of Air Peace, he traveled to the United States and purchased multiple airplanes for the airline. However, over $3 million of the funds used to purchase the aircraft allegedly came from bank accounts for Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, International Center for Non-Violence and Peace Development, All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited, and Every Child Limited.

Beginning in approximately May 2016, Onyema, together with Eghagha, allegedly used a series of export letters of credit to cause banks to transfer more than $20 million into Atlanta-based bank accounts controlled by Onyema. The letters of credit were purportedly to fund the purchase of five separate Boeing 737 passenger planes by Air Peace. The letters were supported by documents such as purchase agreements, bills of sale, and appraisals proving that Air Peace was purchasing the aircraft from Springfield Aviation Company LLC, a business registered in Georgia.

However, the supporting documents were fake — Springfield Aviation Company LLC, which is owned by Onyema and managed by a person with no connection to the aviation business, never owned the aircraft, and the company that allegedly drafted the appraisals did not exist. Eghagha allegedly participated in this scheme as well, directing the Springfield Aviation manager to sign and send false documents to banks and even using the manager’s identity to further the fraud. After Onyema received the money in the United States, he allegedly laundered over $16 million of the proceeds of the fraud by transferring it to other accounts, the DOJ said.

“Allen Ifechukwu Athan Onyema, 56, of Lagos, Nigeria, and Ejiroghene Eghagha, 37, of Lagos, Nigeria, 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. Additionally, Onyema was charged with 27 counts of money laundering, and Eghagha was charged with one count of aggravated identity theft.”



https://thewillnigeria.com/news/exclusive-us-department-of-justice-alleges-kingsley-kuku-used-stolen-billions-from-amnesty-programme-to-buy-airplanes-for-air-peace/

I can say unequivocally the so-called fiscal laundry law is a weapon against developing countries. The Europeans and Americans have the technological know-how for socio-economic development which Africans and other developing countries need. If the moneys were for non-development project in Africa, the so-called Europeans and Americans moral police would look the other way. However if the so-called Laundered money is meant for solid economic program in Africa, the moral policemen of the world shall be awake on duty. Whether the amount of money transferred is more than the stipulated limit required by the USA government or not, it does not make any difference if the said capital is channeled to the good intentions it meant to accomplish. The corporation is a Nigerian outfit and doing legal business. This nonsense is one of the idiotic Barak Obama's scorched earth policies against Goodluck Jonathan's administration. I had rather take Air Peace than to listen to the crap of transfer of money over the official stipulated amount - Laundering. Who cares if the Air Peace operator over drafted or under drafted in the remittance of fund for his business?

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by amanikondo: 6:12am On Sep 08, 2020
dignity33:
You guys no dey tire, US is bunch of hypocrite they are the reason Nigeria remain underdeveloped.

Always celebrating thieves. I know a tribe by the way they celebrate thieves.

1 Like 1 Share

Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by thundafire: 6:42am On Sep 08, 2020
Rugaria:
Looking for ways to to confiscate millions from Nigerians as usual usual. The same way the British has been confiscating huge sums from Nigerian elites without repatriating the so-called loot back to Nigeria. Why are they quiet about babangida and Abubakars billions stashed away in the west? When you help them achieve their goals in your country, then your loot is yours. When it seems you are not dancing to their tunes, they will hang you out to dry..
shut up then,it's ur type,that keeps the country not going forward. Kuku and Onyeama has not come out to say anything,they are busy running left and Right

1 Like 1 Share

Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by asanwafo: 6:53am On Sep 08, 2020
Fleshly:
Boy, space booking no be here..

But back to the topic, I see this as another sensational fake news. But assuming these men are guilty of the alleged crimes, the question to ask is how is stealing $44Mil able to finance an airline company? Any jumbo jet even if it is 2nd, 3rd or even 4th hand used costs more than $50Mil for just one piece. So if Allen onyema stole $25Mil does that equate to him being able to set up an airline company? And that is assuming the news is correct - you see why I said this is silly sensationalism!

But do you know the most painful thing about this joke called fraud allegations? It is that due to our tribal differences you will see some Yorubas and Fulanis celebrating this junk, thinking that by doing so they will be able to pull Onyema down (which btw is not be possible) without realising that they are indirectly snapping their own source of livelihood. Do we know that Air peace has about 23 Pilots who are Yorubas and this was in 2017, maybe by now the numbers would have gone up astronomically. So think of their families and the amount of money Onyema pays as taxes even to the Lagos government amongst other things, before celebrating or trying to act as a useful tool in bringing down another man, based on tribal difference.

It is on this note that I urge all men of good conscience to disregard this news as the fictitious imagination of the author and their US confusionist capitalists, who all they want in the world is to expand their business at the cost of other people's labor.
Nigeria my country. For ur mind u made sense. Somebody stole ur money and established a company with it here u are telling us of people from different tribes under his employ.

1 Like 1 Share

Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by asanwafo: 6:57am On Sep 08, 2020
legitnow:
[s][/s]


IS NIGERIA A STATE IN AMERICA?


ANSWER THE QUESTION?


IF U GO TO AMERICA, WILL DEY NOT DEPORT U?


SO Y ARE DEY AFTER LOADING OUR PEOPLE INTO THEIR HOMOSEXUAL PRISON OVER FLOWING WITH BLACK AMERICANS.



LOOKS LIKE AMERICA WANT TO CARRY THEIR RACISM TO NIGERIANS HERE IN AFRICA.


WE WONT ALLOW OR ACCEPT THAT.
U think this is ipob, Afonja, herdsmen matter?

1 Like 1 Share

Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by Nobody: 7:00am On Sep 08, 2020
Help me ask Mr dignity33 o, dignity ni looto
seunmsg:


Why should the US be tired of investigating and exposing people that stole public funds?

1 Like 1 Share

Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by asanwafo: 7:01am On Sep 08, 2020
olmoRoc:
He invested the proceeds in Nigeria, and created employment for hundreds of people.

What about those buying up mansions and apartments all over Atlanta and other States with warm climate, and having fat bank accounts?

Maybe he would have been left off the hooks if he'd invested the proceeds in the States.

When U steal, invest the proceeds and create employment, the law should clap for u. Nigeria my country where everything thing including human is the opposite of what they should be.

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by asanwafo: 7:14am On Sep 08, 2020
degamonn:
Leave Airpeace alone. Atleast they stole and invested the money here in Nigeria, if true anyway. What of those who took the money abroad.
So if u steal and invest here, is okay. Why do we demolish hotels and companies own by kidnappers once they are caught?

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by degamonn: 7:21am On Sep 08, 2020
[quote author=asanwafo post=93694934] So if u steal and invest here, is okay. Why do we demolish hotels and companies own by kidnappers once they are caught?[/quotei. It is foolishness to demolish property owned by kidnappers as it were. Such can be sold or management transfer to another person or government agency. That's more beneficial to the society than demolition.
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by asanwafo: 7:29am On Sep 08, 2020
[quote author=degamonn post=93695126][/quote] So are u saying the ownership of air peace should be transferred to gov't?
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by degamonn: 7:50am On Sep 08, 2020
asanwafo:
So are u saying the ownership of air peace should be transferred to gov't?
that response was in reaction to demolition of property owned by kidnappers. Is Air peace going to be demolished? What's has the government successfully managed in Nigeria?
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by Jdbrasco2: 7:53am On Sep 08, 2020
AnanseK:


Typical Nyamiri response to law and order
You are a brainwashed soul
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by asanwafo: 7:54am On Sep 08, 2020
degamonn:
that response was in reaction to demolition of property owned by kidnappers. Is Air peace going to be demolished? What's has the government successfully managed in Nigeria?
Therefore people should divert public funds to personal businesses with impunity.
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by Jdbrasco2: 7:58am On Sep 08, 2020
AnanseK:


Typical Nyamiri response to law and order
Tribal sentiment will suffocate you. Sheep
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by mmsen: 8:00am On Sep 08, 2020
dignity33:
You guys no dey tire, US is bunch of hypocrite they are the reason Nigeria remain underdeveloped.

No. They are not.

Nigerians, their peculiar beliefs and bad habits are the reason for Nigeria's state.

This man took money from Nigeria to launder through American banks and yet you blame Americans and not the useless Nigerian who misused the money?

1 Like

Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by mmsen: 8:01am On Sep 08, 2020
amanikondo:


Always celebrating thieves. I know a tribe by the way they celebrate thieves.

You people sound so stupid bickering about tribe when you ALL engage in the same foolish, self-destructive habits.
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by dotedote: 8:47am On Sep 08, 2020
Fleshly:
Boy, space booking no be here..

But back to the topic, I see this as another sensational fake news. But assuming these men are guilty of the alleged crimes, the question to ask is how is stealing $44Mil able to finance an airline company? Any jumbo jet even if it is 2nd, 3rd or even 4th hand used costs more than $50Mil for just one piece. So if Allen onyema stole $25Mil does that equate to him being able to set up an airline company? And that is assuming the news is correct - you see why I said this is silly sensationalism!

But do you know the most painful thing about this joke called fraud allegations? It is that due to our tribal differences you will see some Yorubas and Fulanis celebrating this junk, thinking that by doing so they will be able to pull Onyema down (which btw is not be possible) without realising that they are indirectly snapping their own source of livelihood. Do we know that Air peace has about 23 Pilots who are Yorubas and this was in 2017, maybe by now the numbers would have gone up astronomically. So think of their families and the amount of money Onyema pays as taxes even to the Lagos government amongst other things, before celebrating or trying to act as a useful tool in bringing down another man, based on tribal difference.

It is on this note that I urge all men of good conscience to disregard this news as the fictitious imagination of the author and their US confusionist capitalists, who all they want in the world is to expand their business at the cost of other people's labor.

With your reasoning, your kids will not give you a befitting burial.
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by Shattuck(m): 8:48am On Sep 08, 2020
dignity33:
You guys no dey tire, US is bunch of hypocrite they are the reason Nigeria remain underdeveloped.
how old are you?
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by amanikondo: 9:01am On Sep 08, 2020
mmsen:


You people sound so stupid bickering about tribe when you ALL engage in the some foolish, self-destructive habits.

Thank you. I know a bigot when he or she supports thieves and place tribe over stupid behaviors.

1 Like

Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by JuanDeDios: 10:38am On Sep 08, 2020
seunmsg:


Why should the US be tired of investigating and exposing people that stole public funds?
Good to know you do support investigations - seeing how you were adamantly against the investigation of Akinwunmi Adeshina.
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by Christianvoice: 11:18am On Sep 08, 2020
What about Dangote? How e Nigeria leaders are finding Dangote with our stolen funds
Re: US DOJ Says Kingsley Kuku Used Stolen Billions From Amnesty To Fund Air Peace by sharbby(m): 11:28am On Sep 08, 2020
Eriokanmi:
i agree with you. I was only harping on the magnitude of fine slammed on us by the British Court, it's pure exploitation. Nigeria failed to fulfil their own side of the bargain fine but that doesnt call for paying such a whopping sum as Penally nah, that fine if eventually paid would affect us badly. That's out of this world. Same US accused onyema, the owner of airpeace of commuting fraud early this year on the purchase of the new aircrafts im the USA, the statement which angered onyema and enhaged his lawyer, before the matter was laid to rest. Now they're coming up with a other attack. I'm not in support of corruption. If found culpable the guy should be made to face the music .

exactly bro but I don't think it was the court that fined us, it was the company that sued Nigeria that requested for such ungodly amount and if you followed this case right from the beginning, it was designed to fail. P&ID don't have any experience with the contract, they were given the contract intentionally and the politicians pulled out also because they know it will be massive cashing out. I just hope this case will be followed through to the end and the culprits are caught

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