More trouble for Onyema as EFCC Seizes Passport, Restricts Movement

By Akinwale Kasali

Embattled Air Peace Airline Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, has seen his movement restricted, as anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has seized his international passport.

EFCC seized the airline magnate’s passport pending investigation into his indictment for alleged $44.9 million wire deals and money laundering in the United States of America.

His movement has also been restricted pending the outcome of the probe.

Onyema and his Finance Officer, Ejiroghene Eghagha, are facing the probe which followed the EFCC’s receipt of their indictment by the US Department of Justice, last week.  The indictment came as a surprise to Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora

Six US agencies, Canadian agencies, including the immigration offices are handling the case of alleged fraud by Onyema and his accomplice in America.

According to the US government, the suspects are to face trial for alleged bank fraud, credit application fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.

EFCC’s Special panel is also investigating the Nigerian component of the alleged deals.  Onyema was grilled  last Wednesday.

Onyema and Eghagha’s fate  hangs on the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, MLAT, between Nigeria and the US, in which the treaty borders on the extradition of suspects to face trial in either country.

EFCC sources who gave an update on the Onyema case said: “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.

“We have seized his passports for 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”.