LIAT 2020 (5L, Antigua) has distanced itself from Air Peace (P4, Lagos) and the Nigerian carrier's chairman/CEO Allen Onyema after US authorities issued an arrest warrant and indicted him for obstruction of justice earlier this week.
In a statement, LIAT 2020 underscored its 70% majority shareholder, Air Peace Caribbean Limited (APCL), is a separate entity from Air Peace Nigeria Ltd and is registered in Antigua & Barbuda. It did not clarify the company's shareholding but stressed that Onyema is not involved. "Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace Nigeria Ltd, holds no shares, directorship, nor is he involved in APCL or LIAT (2020) Ltd," the statement read.
LIAT 2020 is a joint venture between APCL and the Antigua & Barbuda government, which holds a 30% stake.
According to the Intellectual Property and Commerce Office in Antigua & Barbuda, APCL was registered under the company code C0113/2023 on June 5, 2023, as a private company with offices in St John's. Neither the shareholders nor directors are disclosed.
Onyema and his chief of administration and finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, have warrants and indictments against them from the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia for allegedly submitting false documents to terminate a federal investigation that resulted in 35 charges of bank fraud and money laundering in 2019.
