Chukwuemeka Ezeife, a former
governor of Anambra state, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) of humiliating Allen
Onyema, chief executive officer of Air Peace.
Speaking on Monday when leaders
of Igbo Mandate Congress (IMC) visited him at his residence in Anambra, Ezeife
said Onyema is not the kind of person who will avoid being investigated.
In November, US authorities had
accused Onyema, of moving more than $20
million from Nigeria through US bank accounts in a scheme involving false
documents based on the purchase of aircraft.
He was indicted alongside
Ejiroghene Eghagha, the airline’s chief of administration and finance, who is
said to have committed aggravated identity theft in connection with the scheme.
Following the indictment, the
EFCC had seized Onyema’s passport “to restrict his movement pending
investigations”.
But Ezeife described the action
of the agency as improper, saying EFCC had harassed some top businessmen in the
past.
“EFCC harassed Ibeto and later he
was found to be innocent. They faced Innoson and the courts later proved that
the man was innocent. They also descended on Ifeanyi Ubah and the man was
subsequently freed.’Now they are humiliating Allen Onyema over a matter they
have not investigated properly,” he said.
‘’Why must EFCC seize his
passport but to humiliate him. Allen Onyema is not the calibre of person that
will run away.’’
Ezeife said the matter is still
under investigation, adding that he would make more comments “at the right
time”.
Obinna Akukwe, director-general
of IMC, accused EFCC of being irresponsible.
‘’EFCC acted irresponsibly by
seizing the passport of Air Peace boss when they have not even done preliminary
investigations. This man who has businesses across the world has just been
prevented from overseeing his businesses because of a US Jury decision. EFCC
should allow the man do his business and await extradition order first before
harassing a fellow Nigerian,” he said. ’
He added that EFCC should uncover
the fraud first before intimidating anybody.
Onyema had since denied the
allegation, describing it as strange.
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