The embattled chairman of air peace, Mr. Onyema Allen seems to be in even more trouble as he goes through investigations in the hands of the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria.
Recall that a couple of weeks back, a court sitting in the USA levied fraud charges against the airline boss, bordering on an LC wire fraud up to the tune of $44.9 million, which was used as part of the financial instruments to purchase some aircraft in the USA.
The court then issued a warrant for his arrest to face charges in the US.
Since the news broke out in Nigeria, the EFCC has also invited Mr. Allen for questioning. The result of this is the further confiscation of his traveling document and restrictions placed on his movement within the country.
A source from EFCC shared the statement below with The Nation newspaper:
“Following his interaction with our detectives, it became imperative to restrict his movement to the country because we will need him from time to time,” the newspaper quoted a source in the commission have said.
“We have seized his passports for an unfettered comprehensive investigation. And so far, he has cooperated with our team.
“During our interaction, he maintained his innocence. We have, however, made progress in our preliminary investigation.
“The extradition process is within the purview of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. You should not forget that the EFCC has to investigate, establish prima facie case and arraigning the suspects in court before any extradition application can be initiated.
“The US government knows what to do as far as the invocation of the MLAT is concerned. We are only fulfilling our own part of the collaboration with the relevant US agencies.”
