
News
US court sentences Allen Onyema’s alleged fraud conspirator to three years probation
A United States court on Friday sentenced a self-confessed conspirator in the alleged $20 million fraud allegedly organised by Air Peace CEO, Allen Onyema, to three years’ probation.
The court also awarded $4,000 as fine against Ebony Mayfiled, who, had in June, pleaded guilty to the charge of signing and submitting fake documents to facilitate the alleged fraud.
The US government accused her of signing and submitting the fabricated documents between 2016 and 2018, to help Mr Onyema, owner of Air Peace, a major Nigerian commercial airline, to move $20 million from Nigeria to the US in an alleged money laundering scheme.
She was charged in 2019, and she initially pleaded “not guilty” to all eight charges at the District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta.
But she changed her plea to plead guilty to one of the charges in June, after entering into a plea agreement that saw the US government drop the seven remaining charges against her.
The law under which she was charged provided for maximum five years jail term for the offence she pleaded guilty to.

Following her guilty plea, her lawyer filed for a variance of sentence on 13 October, begging to be sentenced to a probated sentence or what is called supervised release, instead of imprisonment.
Reports said on Friday that the US government, in its response, agreed to a lower limit of sentence range, which includes house detention for six months.
At the sentencing on Friday, the judge, Eleanor Ross, after discussing the pre-sentence report with lawyers to the parties, and listening to Ms Mayfield briefly, imposed “a total of THREE (3) YEARS of probation” on her.
The judge also ordered “$4,000 fine (the interest is waived); $100 special assessment; and additional requirements.”
He also gave her limited appellate rights, and noted that she was ready on bail.
‘Supervised release’
The court’s decision is a concession to the defendant’s request for probated sentence or what her lawyer called conditional release.
The defence lawyer, Manubir Arora, had said “imprisonment is not the only form of punishment” and stressed that “probation alone is a viable alternative form of punishment.”
Under the probated sentence, Ms Mayfield’s lawyers said, her travel would be restricted and her associations would be regulated.
She would also be subject to random searches of her person and premises and subject to other special conditions such as house arrest and intermittent confinement.
A probation officer would also be appointed to monitor her during the three years period.
“In Ms Mayfield’s case, probation serves all the goals of sentencing even though the guidelines may call for imprisonment,” her lawyer wrote.
Hoping “to put this unfortunate series of choices behind her,” she confessed that Mr Onyema paid her a total of $20,000 for the part she played in the scheme between 2016 and 2018.
She also said her participation in the alleged crime brought shame upon her family.
I’m innocent – Onyema
Again, Mr Onyema, denied any wrongdoing regarding the allegations on Friday.
Mr Onyema and another official of Air Peace, Ejiroghene Eghagha, maintained their innocence in a press release by their lawyers.
The statement by A.O. Alegeh & Co law firm was silent on the 36 charges of fraud and money laundering still pending against Mr Onyema and his co-defendant at the same court where Ms Mayfield was prosecuted.
But they maintained in their press release that the fact that Ms Mayfield was not given any prison sentence, confinement or home detention by the court confirmed that there was no fraud in the $20 million deal.
“This confirms the position of our clients that there was no fraudulent intent in all the Letters of Credit, there was no victim in any way, manner or form.
“All the funds involved were legitimate funds belonging to Our Clients. There was no loss of money or any damage whatsoever to any third party,” the press statement read.
It added that the US government, which has yet to terminate the pending 36 charges against Mr Onyema and his co-defendant, “admitted in court today that no bank suffered any financial loss in this matter.”
The statement also denied that Mr Onyema paid Ms Mayfield $20,000 for her roles in the alleged fraud.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Ms Mayfield had claimed she received $20,000 while she participated in “the conspiracy” between 2016 and 2018.
Denying the claim, Mr Onyema’s lawyers said: “Our Clients never took loans or credit from any US Bank and Ebony was never paid the sum of $20,000.00 at any time to commit any fraud, as is being peddled by a section of the Nigerian Press. Ebony, like other Springfield Aviation Company Inc. staff was only paid her bi-weekly salary and/or allowances.
“These stories are far from the truth and are deliberately being peddled by a section of the Nigerian Press for ulterior motives.”
The statement insisted that “all steps taken in respect of the Letters of Credit were taken in good faith and with legitimate funds.”
“All the aircraft involved were brought into Nigeria abd utilised in the operations of Air Peace Limited. There was no victim. There was no loss of funds to any person and there was no criminal intent whatsoever.”
The law firm added that various law enforcement agencies in Nigeria had reviewed the case and “no evidence of criminality has been established against our Clients.”
Mayfield’s case closed, Mr Onyema’s charges remain
Ms Mayfield’s sentencing on Friday brought her trial to conclusion, the judge said.
But the separate case in which Mr Onyema and an Air Peace official are charged remains.
Mr Onyema and Air Peace Limited’s Head of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, still have 36 charges of fraud and money laundering pending against them since 2019 at the same court.
Prosecutors said Mr Onyema engaged, Ms Mayfield, a bartender and nightclub dancer, as a manager for his Atlanta, Gerogia-based Springfield Aviation Company LLC in 2016.
The Air Peace founder set up the firm to, purportedly, “specialise in the wholesaling, trading, and sale of commercial aircraft and parts”.
But the US government said, Mr Onyema engaged Ms Mayfield to enter into aviation-related contracts on behalf of Springfield Aviation, despite her lack of education, training, or licensing in the review and valuation of aircraft and aircraft components.
In her plea bargain that she filed in June, Ms Mayfield confessed to signing and submitting fake documents enabling a $20 million credit disbursement from Nigeria to US bank accounts, purportedly for Air Peace to buy five Boeing 737 passenger planes from Springfield Aviation.
The fake documents allegedly submitted by the conspirators included fabricated purchase agreements, bills of sale, and valuation.
Both Air Peace, a major Nigerian commercial airline, and the purported aircraft seller, Springfield Aviation, are owned by My Onyema.
Prosecutors alleged that the aircraft referenced in the letters of credit and other fake documents submitted with respect to the deal were already owned by Air Peace. None of them ever belonged to Springfield Aviation, the prosecution said
They also alleged that Mr Onyema founded and used Springfield Aviation “to facilitate large transfers of funds from his Nigerian bank accounts to the United States.”
Mr allegedly moved about $15 million from Springfield Aviation’s account with a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Atlanta, Georgia, to his personal savings account with the same bank in 27 transactions in 2017.
The flagged 27 transactions took place between 22 March and 29 November 2017.
Mr Onyema and Air Peace Limited’s Head of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, are facing 36 charges at the District Court in Atlanta, in connection with the alleged $20 million fraudulent scheme.
Among the charges preferred against them are bank fraud, credit application fraud and money laundering.
Each of the flagged 27 online transfers carried out by Mr Onyema within nine months in 2017 involved values ranging from $100,000 to $1 million.
The transactions totalled $15.14 million.
Each of the 27 transactions stands alone as a charge of money laundering.
Under the money laundering charges, prosecutors alleged that both Messrs Onyema and Eghagha, aided and abetted by others, “attempted to engage in a monetary transaction” involving a financial institution, with effect on “interstate and foreign commerce”.
They alleged that each of the transactions involved more than $10,000 “criminally derived from unlawful activities” including bank fraud and credit application fraud.
In November 2020, the government of the state of Georgia dissolved Springfield Aviation over its failure to file its annual registration and/or failure to maintain a registered agent or registered office in this state.
Mr Onyema denied all the allegations of fraud levelled against him when the charges against him were unveiled by the US government in 2019.
Although he said the charges did not reflect his personality as a business owner, he and his co-defendant have yet to appear in court. (PREMIUM TIMES)

News
How Businessman Lucky Adimike was stabbed to death by his son – Sources
Businessman Chief Lucky Adimike, also referred to as Lucky Godwin Adimike, was allegedly stabbed to death by his 19-year-old son in Abuja.
The incident is said to have happened after an argument at their home in Guzape.
A report says the son, who was reportedly keeping late nights and returning from a night club allegedly stabbed him multiple times and is currently in police custody while investigations continue.
The police reportedly confirmed that a homicide investigation is ongoing.
The incident allegedly happened at his residence in Guzape, Abuja.
He was described as a businessman and electrical dealer.
Sources claimed there was an argument between him and his son, reportedly a nightcrawler, in which he scolded him to be more serious with his studies and life instead of roaming aimlessly, spending lavishly and getting into substance abuse.

The disagreement allegedly also involved money, lifestyle expectations, and accusations about business funds.
Police reportedly found him injured after a distress call and later confirmed him dead at the hospital.
The Nigeria Police Force reportedly said several people, including a relative, were taken into custody while investigations continue.
Why youth corps member stabbed billionaire father dead -Associate
Friday, May 15, 2026, will linger in the memories of family members of the late multi-billionaire business tycoon, Chief Godwin Adimike, as the day he was allegedly killed by his 21 -year-old son.
Chief Adimike, popularly known as Egonaejeije Na Awka-Etiti, was killed in the early hours of that fateful day at his Number 3, Hassan Adamu Street, Guzape home in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Findings revealed that Adimike, a native of Awka Etiti in Anambra State, a major figure in Nigeria’s electronics and import business, was renowned for his strong presence and influence at the Alaba International Market in Lagos.
Having built a vast business empire over the decades, he was widely respected as one of the leading merchants in the popular market.
Findings revealed that Adimike was killed by his son, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on that night following a heated argument at their Guzape home.
When our correspondent visited the Guzape home of the deceased on Friday, the premises were cordoned-off with security operatives still carrying out forensic analysis in his apartment.
One of his close friends resident in Abuja and pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that Adimike owned houses in Lekki, Lagos and in Guzape and Maitama, Abuja, frequently shuttling between the two cities for his business interests.
He explained that the news of the incident reached the union after reports emerged that the businessman was allegedly stabbed three times by his son, who had returned from a club before the confrontation.
He said: “We received news that one of our members, one of the big boys in the market, was involved in a tragic incident. He is an importer, a major dealer, and also involved in real estate.
“He travelled to Abuja to see his first son who is working there as a youth corps member and also manages some of his father’s real estate business.
“Godwin shuttles between Abuja and Lagos because of his business.
“We were told that his son went to a club and later returned to his Guzape home, one of the estates he manages for his father.
“Apparently, a heated argument ensued after the son confronted his father about being unfair with money, citing how some of his friends’ fathers, who are not as wealthy, buy cars for their children.
“Following the confrontation and an argument over mismanagement of business funds, the son allegedly stabbed his father three times in different parts of the body as seen in the body of the deceased.
“The boy is currently in police custody in Abuja, and the wife of the deceased has also been invited for questioning”.
Adimike belongs to the Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (EDAN).
A neighbour, who also pleaded anonymity, said: “It was my husband that his son called at about 1am that day that he should come and see his father on the floor.
“When my husband got to their apartment, because we have six flats here, our own is the first while Adimike’s own is the second. My husband got there and saw Adimike on the floor, and he was the one that called the police. The son did not call the police.
“That day, the son was with two ladies and another of his friends.”
Another neighbour described the incident as unfortunate, saying: “That night to the following morning, there is a dog in the neighborhood that barks whenever there is a stranger.
“But that day, the dog did not bark, and this tells a lot about the situation.
“My prayers are that the police should do their investigation and come out with results. This is not funny.”
Details of the incident remain sketchy as investigations are ongoing. The motive behind the incident is yet to be established by the police.
The death of Adimike has left many people in deep shock and mourning. A man widely known for his generosity, kindness and support for the less privileged, whose name echoed across Awka-Etiti and beyond because of his philanthropic lifestyle.
Another close friend said: “What an abomination and painful tragedy. A man known for helping widows, supporting the church, empowering people and touching lives positively did not deserve such an ending.
“This heartbreaking incident is a reminder that anger, lack of self-control and family conflicts can destroy lives within seconds.
“It is also a painful lesson that wealth, fame, and influence cannot replace peace at home.
“The entire Awka-Etiti community, friends, business associates and loved ones are mourning the fall of a great iroko tree.”
Many people who knew him described him as a humble and cheerful giver whose doors were always open to the needy.
During the COVID-19 period, he reportedly distributed food items and cash worth millions to members of his community in Awka-Etiti, showing his heart for humanity and the welfare of others.
It will be recalled that the FCT Police Command on Tuesday issued a statement confirming the incident and the arrest made.
FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ade, said the police had commenced investigation into the death of Adimike, whose body was discovered following a distress call from concerned persons.
Reacting to the incident, Adeh said the police responded to the report and discovered the victim lying injured in a pool of blood at his residence.
Adeh said he was immediately rushed to Karu General Hospital where doctors on duty confirmed him dead.
“Following the incident, the police swung into action and arrested five suspects, including a relative of the deceased, as part of ongoing investigations.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, ordered a discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
“The Command urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with investigators by providing any useful information that could assist the investigation,” Adeh said.
As of Friday, Adeh told our correspondent that investigation was still ongoing. “I would not want to disclose any information now till we conclude our investigation. This is a very serious case,” he said.
While all of these are unfolding, the family members issued a statement over the circumstances surrounding his death, frowning at growing speculations and unverified claims over the tragedy.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Adimike Family, a copy of which was obtained by THE NATION, the family cautioned the public against what it described as misinformation, speculation and false narratives circulating across social media and some news platforms regarding the gruesome killing of the businessman.
The family said many of the claims being circulated about the circumstances surrounding Adimike’s death were speculative, misleading and unsupported by facts emerging from the ongoing police investigation.
“The Adimike Family of Awka Etiti, Anambra State, wishes to strongly caution the public against the growing wave of misinformation, speculation and false narratives being circulated across social media and certain news platforms regarding the tragic circumstances surrounding his death,” the statement said.
The family stressed that contrary to widespread reports, no official determination had been made regarding the identity of the perpetrator or the brains behind the killing.
“As of this moment, no official determination has been made regarding the identity of the perpetrator(s), and the family considers it irresponsible and deeply hurtful for individuals and platforms to spread unverified allegations and assign blame without evidence,” the statement added.
The family further appealed to members of the public and media organisations to avoid sensational reporting and allow law enforcement authorities to conclude investigations professionally.
“The family respectfully appeals to the public and media organisations to refrain from sensationalism, allow the police to conclude their investigations professionally, and keep the family in prayers during this difficult period,” it stated.
News of Adimike’s death had sparked widespread reactions after reports emerged alleging that the prominent businessman and philanthropist was killed inside his Abuja residence following a domestic altercation.
However, the family’s statement appears to push back against what it described as premature conclusions while police investigations continue.
Our correspondent also saw a viral audio sound of the deceased’s wife crying and saying in Igbo language that she is being accused of killing her husband.

News
DISCLAIMER: NDC disowns John Paul Anih
…Says he’s neither Enugu State Chairman, nor represents NDC
The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) and entire leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has been drawn to the nefarious activities of a certain John Paul Anih who is purporting to be the Enugu State Chairman of NDC, there by impersonating the authentic and legally recognised Enugu State Chairman, in the person of Engr. Ibuchukwu Obeta.
Apart from impersonating our state Chairman, the said Mr. John Paul Anih, we learnt also conducted a kangaroo state Congress where he allegedly installed himself as state chairman. He has also approached a court in Enugu, seeking to compel NDC to recognise him as our state Chairman for Enugu State.
Mr. John Paul Anih did not stop at that. While his case is yet to be heard, he went ahead to forge and reproduce copies of the NDC Expression of Interest Forms which he sold to unsuspecting prospects.
The NDC hereby warns unsuspecting members of the public that Mr. John Paul Anih does not represent the NDC in any category whatsoever, and whoever transacts any business with him on behalf of the NDC does so at his/her own risk.
Earlier today, we learnt that John Paul Anih has also seized the opportunity of the ongoing screening of aspirants by the party and set up what he called an aspirant screening Committee for Enugu State, which he is using to further defraud and extort some gullible politicians.
For the avoidance of doubt, the National leadership of the NDC has set up screening committees to screen aspirants for the state houses of assembly across the 36 states of the Federation. The three-man team for Enugu State comprises the following:

Hon. Sylvester O. Nwankwo – Chairman
Barr. Ifeanyi Emmanuel Agbom- Secretary
Ngene Helen Funmilola – Member
Any other person outside of the above mentioned, purporting to be a member of the Enugu State House of Assembly aspirants screening Committee is a fraud and should be treated as such.
We reiterate that John Paul Anih is a fraud, does not represent the NDC, and is not by any stretch of the imagination, the Enugu State Chairman of NDC.
Signed:
Osa Director Esq.
National Publicity Secretary,
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)

News
Supreme Court restrains FG from controlling waterfront lands in states, voids parts of NIWA Act
The Supreme Court has delivered a landmark constitutional judgement limiting the federal government’s powers over lands adjoining inland waterways across the country, declaring portions of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Act unconstitutional.
In a major victory for Lagos State in Suit No. SC/CV/541/2025, the apex court held that Sections 12 and 13 of the NIWA Act are invalid to the extent that they empower the federal government to regulate and control lands adjoining waterways for purposes unrelated to navigation, maritime activities and fishing.
In addition to Lagos, other states that joined the suit against the federal government were Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Cross River, Kaduna, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Benue, Rivers, Osun, Oyo and Anambra.
Lagos State’s legal team was led by the State’s former Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, alongside Olasupo Shasore SAN, and Muiz Banire SAN, while the federal government was represented by Akin Olujinmi SAN.
The court affirmed that state governments retain constitutional authority over adjoining lands used for non-navigational purposes, thereby restricting the federal government and the NIWA from exercising sweeping control over such areas.
The seven-member panel of the court, led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the federal government from dealing with lands adjoining waterways within Lagos State and other states of the federation for non-navigational purposes.

The matter was determined by a panel comprising Justices Garba, Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa, Haruna Simon Tsammani, Stephen Jonah Adah, Abubakar Sadiq Umar and Mohammed Baba Idris. Justice Umar, read the lead judgment.
Although the court was unanimous on most issues, the decision recorded a 5-2 split on the constitutionality of Sections 10 and 11 of the NIWA Act.
Justices Agim and Idris dissented on some aspects of the decision, maintaining that Lagos State ought to have succeeded on additional reliefs relating to federal control over waterways.
Lagos State had approached the Supreme Court under its original jurisdiction, challenging the constitutional validity of several provisions of the NIWA Act.
The state argued that the National Assembly exceeded its constitutional authority by enacting provisions empowering the federal government and NIWA to exercise control over lands adjoining waterways within states.
Specifically, Lagos contended that Sections 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the NIWA Act conflicted with Sections 4 and 315 of the Constitution, the Land Use Act, and Items 36 and 64 of the Exclusive Legislative List.
The state further argued that the federal government could not validly exercise powers over inland waterways that had not been designated as international or interstate waterways by the National Assembly.
Lagos also maintained that the federal government lacked constitutional authority to regulate lands adjoining waterways for purposes unrelated to navigation.
The state sought multiple declarations and orders nullifying the disputed provisions and restraining federal authorities from exercising control over adjoining lands within its territory.
Before delving into the substantive issues, the Supreme Court first considered preliminary objections filed by the federal government and other defendants challenging the jurisdiction of the court. The objections were dismissed for lacking merit.
The court subsequently proceeded to determine the constitutional questions raised in the suit.
One of the key issues addressed by the court was whether the case had already been settled in the earlier dispute between NIWA and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LSWA).
The defendants had argued that the doctrine of res judicata applied because the issues had been determined in the earlier NIWA v. LSWA decision.
However, the Supreme Court rejected the argument, holding that the present suit was distinguishable from the earlier case and therefore not barred.
That finding cleared the way for the court to fully examine the constitutional validity of the disputed provisions of the NIWA Act.
In its substantive findings, the court held that Sections 12 and 13 of the NIWA Act went beyond the constitutional powers granted to the National Assembly.
The apex court ruled that while the federal government possesses authority over navigation, maritime activities, fishing and international waterways, those powers do not extend to general control over lands adjoining waterways within states.
The court held that the National Assembly acted ultra vires by attempting to regulate adjoining lands for purposes outside navigation-related activities.
Accordingly, the court declared Sections 12 and 13 unconstitutional to the extent of their inconsistency with the Constitution.
The court specifically held that the federal government cannot rely on those provisions to deal with lands adjoining waterways for non-navigational purposes.
The judgment is expected to have far-reaching implications for waterfront development, land reclamation, urban planning, environmental regulation and revenue generation in Lagos and other coastal states.

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