BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Air Peace has dismissed recent claims suggesting its Chairman, Dr. Allen Onyema, made false statements about payment for land allocated to the airline for its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Anambra State.
Reacting to a statement credited to the Traditional Ruler of Umueri, Igwe Emeka, the airline described the allegations as “baseless, misleading and entirely unprovoked,” insisting that Onyema’s integrity remains unquestionable.
“For the record, neither Dr. Onyema nor Air Peace ever accused the Umueri community of any wrongdoing.
“At no point did we allege that the community withheld land, collected money, or was in dispute with us over the MRO project”, the airline said.
According to them, all transactions regarding the facility were carried out directly with the Anambra State Government, not with any individual or community.
“Air Peace paid ₦100 million for the designated land directly to the state government, which issued an official receipt on August 26, 2021,” the statement said, adding that a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the land was subsequently issued on September 14, 2021.
“These documents, receipt and C of O, are verifiable proof that the transaction was legitimate and transparent,” the company stressed. “Dr. Onyema did not lie, and any claim to the contrary is false and defamatory.”
The airline condemned the publication as a deliberate attempt to malign Onyema’s reputation and mislead the public. “Dr. Onyema’s record of honesty and service to Nigeria speaks for itself.
He is a man driven by integrity, patriotism, and a deep commitment to national development,” the statement emphasized.
It further reiterated that the Air Peace MRO project remains a landmark investment aimed at creating jobs, strengthening Nigeria’s aviation capacity, and positioning the country as a regional hub for aircraft maintenance.
“Air Peace will not be distracted by falsehoods or controversy,” the management affirmed. “Our focus remains on nation-building, empowering Nigerians, and promoting excellence in all facets of our operations.”
