The National Committee of Yoruba Youths (NCYY) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore have jointly condemned the indictment of the chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema for alleged money laundering by the United States government.
The groups said in a statement signed by Messrs Odeyemi Oladimeji and Saleh Alhassan, spokesmen for NCYY and Miyetti Allah respectively that they were disturbed by the allegations leveled against the airline chief.
That Onyema had been doing business for many years in the US and “has never been found wanting until now,” the groups said the allegation, raises fundamental questions about the bad timing and the growing suspicion of many Nigerians over the motive behind targeting our own distinguished Allen Onyema.
“We see a pattern that portends international conspiracy to rubbish one of the few outstanding entrepreneurs in Africa.
They said the airline chief is reputed for integrity and peace building adding that he should not be dragged in the mud by “western conspiracy.”
“As law abiding citizens, we will not object to any process aimed at promoting transparency and accountability. Yet, we will not fold our arms…and watch helplessly and hopelessly as one of our finest is being coerced and pulled down…without an iota of any subsisting clear evidence from a joint investigation between the US law enforcement agencies and Nigeria counterparts to determine the veracity of the claims before unleashing this dreadful move, deliberately aimed at tainting the image of Onyema,” the groups said.
The groups also urged Nigerians to “rise up to this new attempt to destroy one of Africa’s fastest growing airlines.”
In addition, they appealed to the federal government to intervene in the matter.
