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LIAT 2020 may already be in trouble?

- CEO of Air Peace who holds 70% shares in LIAT 2020 faces new fraud charges in the US
October 14th, 2024 | Tags: LIAT 2024 air travel Air Peace CEO fraud future
LIAT 2020 had its inaugural flight from Antigua to St. Lucia on August 6, 2024. Photo: Internet Source
Allen I. Onyema, CEO of Nigerian airline Air Peace, faces more charges linked to a 20 million dollars bank fraud case in the United States. Photo: Internet Source
Allen I. Onyema, CEO of Nigerian airline Air Peace, faces more charges linked to a 20 million dollars bank fraud case in the United States. Photo: Internet Source
In August 2024, Kurt A.G. Menal, Managing Director BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) confirmed that talks with LIAT 2020 for bringing the new airline to the Virgin Islands were ongoing. Photo: Internet Source
In August 2024, Kurt A.G. Menal, Managing Director BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) confirmed that talks with LIAT 2020 for bringing the new airline to the Virgin Islands were ongoing. Photo: Internet Source
ST JOHN’S, Antigua- The future of LIAT 2020 hangs in the balance as Allen I. Onyema, CEO of Nigerian airline Air Peace, continues to face mounting charges in the United States.

Air Peace holds a 70% stake in LIAT 2020 which had its inaugural flight on August 6, 2024, signalling a long-awaited bridge in the gap in regional travel left by its predecessor LIAT 1974. Current routes of LIAT 2020 include Antigua, Dominica, St Kitts and Grenada.

Fraud charges in the US

Onyema has been avoiding trial in the US for five years on several fraud charges relating to a twenty-million-dollar bank fraud case. On October 8, 2024, a new indictment was filed introducing charges of obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

“After allegedly using his airline company as a cover to commit fraud on the United States’ banking system, Onyema, along with his co-defendant, allegedly committed additional crimes of fraud in a failed attempt to derail the government’s investigation of his conduct,” the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia said in a statement on Friday, October 11, 2024.

Air Peace’s Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, also stands accused of participating in both the obstruction scheme and the earlier bank fraud counts.

Could charges affect LIAT 2020’s future before it begins?

One of the burning questions is whether these charges and the outcome could affect the newly revived LIAT 2020.

The company is in discussion with other islands, including the Virgin Islands (VI), to begin service to and from their shores.

In August 2024, Kurt A.G. Menal, the Managing Director BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA), confirmed to Virgin Islands News Online that LIAT 2020 is in talks with the relevant authorities to bring the airline to the VI.

At the time, he said the potential of LIAT 2020 flying into the Virgin Islands represents a significant step forward in enhancing connectivity and aligns with the Authority’s ongoing air service development goals.

See link to related article below:

BVI Airports Authority & LIAT 2020 in talks to service VI- BVIAA MD | Virgin Islands News Online

13 Responses to “LIAT 2020 may already be in trouble?”

  • jack in the box (14/10/2024, 11:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh boy not good news
  • Madussa (14/10/2024, 12:02) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Liat AGAIN? When they were flying out of the BVI, L I A T meant L A T E all of the time.
    • @Madussa (15/10/2024, 12:04) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      Fix this..... It mean Leave Island Any Time
      • Madussa (15/10/2024, 21:59) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        @@Madussa, we know what LIAT stands for, It was an ongoing joke that LIAT was always late. DUHHHHHHHH!
  • Antigua Prime Minister (14/10/2024, 12:03) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Damn Hitler looking self mouthstache didn't conduct background checks or what? All he saw was $$$ signs. All this info was easily found on google. When will they learn to keep far away from these Nigerians? All that glitters isn't gold. Lets see if he has enough sense to cash in those shares. The garrots told him they weren't interested in doing business with this bloke or even taking on the responsibility of an airline like Liat but he always know whats best. So let him figure this out now. Damn idiot!
  • Really Guys? (14/10/2024, 13:16) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Figures Liat would be the ones to fall for that Nigerian prince email lol
  • Relax. Racist haters.. (14/10/2024, 13:31) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    Two side to every story. Want to hesr is side. This man is a billionaire that don't take and shouldn't take disrespect from Authorities. This man know this business. England try to stop him and he won his case now he has flight from Nigeria straight to London. Britain failed, now American tdying to stop him...He will win...Good over Evil..They hating on this billiinaire black man... We will have Liat 2020 in our Skies
  • fedup (14/10/2024, 13:57) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    OK Antigua you are not allowed to hold any Reginal headquarters anymore. Strike One Allan Standford Strike 2 the Collapse of Liat 1975 Ltd. Strike 3 LIAT 2020. Your leadership is underwhelming!!!
  • Business not racist (14/10/2024, 19:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sir Richard Branson has an equally difficult time when he began Virgin Airways , it not racist its called business. Those who stand to lose the most will not just roll over without a fight.
  • Old news (15/10/2024, 09:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A simple google search before the acquisition would have provided this information to the Government of Antigua and other parties. Air Peace and its founder have had charges since 2019 by the US DOJ (https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/ceo-nigerian-airline-indicted-bank-fraud-and-money-laundering). Not sure how this was missed and, if it wasn't and they still went through with this...even more concerning.
  • Wellsah (15/10/2024, 19:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    please show me a legit nigerian billionaire


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