Several controversies are currently trailing the indictment of Allen Ifechukwu Athan Onyema over an alleged bank fraud and money laundering scheme in the United State.
On Friday, the United States department of justice announced that Onyema had been indicted for money laundering. The US authorities also issued warrant arrest with claims that Onyema used several fraudulent letters of credit to American banks and initiated wire transfers to the tune of $44.9 million between 2010 and 2018.
The shocking news about the well known philanthropist was heightened when another report also revealed that Onyema is also wanted in Canada over alleged multi-million Dollar Fraud and further reports also claims that The United States authorities have frozen about $14.2 million in bank accounts linked to companies registered by Allen Onyema, the chairman of Air Peace Limited.
Although Onyema has denied having anything to do with fraudulent activities but there has been no official statement from any Nigerian anti-graft agencies about his indictment.
On Sunday, Lauretta Onochie, the personal assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari broke silence in series of reaction on social media.
In a series of tweets on Sunday, Buhari’s aide asked Onyema to go and face his accusers, noting that American government only goes after law breakers.
Onochie also lamented on the manner in which funds meant for the Niger Delta amnesty programme were allegedly diverted into private pockets when Onyemawas working as a consultant to the presidential amnesty programme when Kingsley Kuku was special adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta affairs.
In her tweets she wrote:
“I do not understand what President Buhari has to do with Mr. Onyema of Air Peace being indicted and charged in the USA. According to our attorney-general, the Federal Government has not even been informed of the situation,” Onochie tweeted.
“American laws go after those who break them. What a man sows… How much has Nigeria invested in the Niger Delta amnesty programme, NDDC and 13 per cent derivation funds? All, mostly in a black hole (sic).
“Do we know the extent of poverty, ignorance and disease in the Niger Delta? Please let America too help us see how Niger Delta underdeveloped Niger Delta. Those of us from the Niger Delta who are the direct beneficiaries of the suffering that emanated from the looting of our wealth will tackle them. It is our war that is being fought.
“Laws, Nigerian or American, go after those who break them; so we must mind our business. QED! We are smarter now than ever before. Gradually, the scales of tribalism, religious affinity and political loyalty are falling off our eyes and being replaced by Nigerianism. Nigerians are not keen on tales by moonlight. Let him return to America to face his accusers.”
