By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Group under the auspices of Civil Society Group for Good Governance (CSGGG) has called on Nigerians, including print and electronic media as well as social media influencers to as a matter of necessity halt further casting of aspersion on the Air Peace boss, Mr Allen Onyeama, over alleged $20million fraud levelled against him by United States of America.
The group made the call on Wednesday at a press conference held at Nigerian Union of Journalists’ secretariat, Utako Abuja.
According to the group, the Air Peace boss deserves fair hearing since the case in question is just mere accusation which has not be proven to be true by competent court of jurisdiction.
Recall that the United State of America through the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, “charged Mr. Allen Onyema, chairman, CEO, and founder of Air Peace with 27 count charges bothering on bank fraud and money laundering.”
The group therefore expressed dismay over the allegations laid against the Chairman/CEO of AirPeace Airlines, a man whom the group said study of his activities reveal that he played patriotic role in protecting the image of Nigeria in the recent times,by singlehandedly evacuating about 500 Nigerians from South Africa during the xenophobic attacks in September, a feat which cost him about 280million naira to achieve.
In their words, “Barely few months, an unverified report sprang up and Nigerians who should stand for their own, has refused to do so instead, ganged up both in the Electronic and Print Media, Social media to drag a man who has continuously placed Nigeria on the map, which we considered as media gang up against Mr Onyema, which is unacceptable and unpatriotic on the part of Nigerians.
The group which reminded that presumption of innocence is a legal principle, where one is considered innocent until proven guilty, noted that Allen Onyema has not been proven guilty of the said crime and this sad incidence has caused a huge dent on his image and that of his esteemed establishment.
It therefore demanded that Mr. Onyeama should be given the benefit of doubt, since the accused, has publicly debunked and classified the said allegation as false and promised to come with more clarification to prove his innocence. as a business man whose sole aim is to contribute his quota to Nation building, for the overall wellbeing of the society, a Nigerian Ambassador per excellence.
It also condemned the actions taken by the media and some Nigerians in castigating Mr Onyema, adding that the US Government who made the allegations, have not substantiated their claims.
The civil society group which viewed the recent media attack on Mr. Onyeama as unpatriotic act aimed at withering down his 10 years of tremendous and consistent hardwork and achievements, made the following demand:
• All published publications castigating and speaking against Mr. Onyema be taken down from host websites of online news platforms that negatively reported the above mater of allegation.
• Nigerians stand in solidarity behind Onyema, as this issue if escalated further with lips blasting and further accusations would be very cancerous on Nigeria and its foundation especially in the Aviation sector.
• Mr Onyema should be treated fairly and given fair rights to come out and publicly clear his name, until then all reports on the issue should be withhold forthwith, which maybe considered as libelous, if the said allegation is proven otherwise.
• The Nigeria Government should verify all claims made by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia against Mr. Onyeama, for immediate clarification.
Comrade Ogakwu Dominic
President, CSGGGG
