Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent trip to Nigeria was reportedly made easier by free flights from Air Peace, given by Chairman Dr. Allen Onyema.

However, there are now reports that Onyema is a fugitive in the US, wanted for a $20 million money laundering operation. 

An Air Peace staff member, Stanley Olisa, revealed details of the free flights for the royal couple.

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Were Given Free Flights In Nigeria

Harry and Meghan have completed their three-day trip to Nigeria to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. 

The trip was sponsored by free flights from Air Peace, courtesy of its chairman, Dr. Onyema. However, reports have now claimed that Onyema is a wanted man in the US.

According to the DailyMail, Onyema is facing multiple charges of alleged fraud, which were set down in a federal indictment filed in November 2019. 

The charges amount to over $20 million of fraud allegedly committed by Onyema over the years.

Stanley Olisa, a staff member of Air Peace, spoke to The Mirror about the free flights. He explained that Onyema gave Harry and Meghan “complimentary flights” and “everything they wanted” because of their status as royals. However, it’s not clear whether Harry and Meghan were aware of Onyema’s alleged criminal history.

More Details Of The ‘Free Flights’ Gifted To Prince Harry And Meghan Markle

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle

During his conversation with The Mirror, Olisa, an Air Peace staff member, said that Onyema chartered the planes for just Harry, Meghan, and their entourage.

He said, “We understand that they are royals, so we gave them top-tier treatment on board. They were given everything they wanted. It was an exclusive experience. And we flew them back to Abuja in the evening. Everything was complimentary.”

Olisa explained that Onyema gave the couple the free flights as his own contribution to giving them a wonderful experience in Nigeria. Harry and Meghan reportedly flew 664 miles on a 120-seat plane, creating an estimated 12 tonnes of carbon emissions. The average annual carbon footprint for a single person is about four tonnes.

The shocking estimated amount of emissions by Harry and Meghan has left a sour taste in the mouths of their critics. The couple have been criticized for being hypocrites because they are the founders of the Travalyst initiative. Harry especially used the platform to encourage a more sustainable tourism industry.

The Air Peace Founder Was Reportedly Indicted On Fraud Charges

Onyema was indicted on allegations that he used his status as a “prominent business leader and airline executive” for fraud purposes in the US. He is further accused of laundering over $20 million from Nigeria to the US through multiple bank accounts he maintained in the country.

Robert Murphy, the agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta field division, spoke to The Mirror. He said, “Allen Onyema’s status as a wealthy businessman turned out to be a fraud. He corrupted the US banking system, but his trail of deceit and trickery came to a skidding halt.”

The indictment further alleges that Onyema set up multiple “innocent-sounding multi-million-dollar asset purchases” in the US. However, further investigation revealed that these purchases were nothing more than alleged fronts that the businessman used for his scam.

King Charles Is ‘Absolutely Furious’ About Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Nigeria Trip

The revelations about Onyema’s indictment come amid criticism of Harry and Meghan’s trip to Nigeria. Royal sources claim that King Charles and Prince William were “absolutely furious” about the visit because Harry and Meghan seemingly portrayed it as a royal visit.

Author Tom Quinn said, “Everything you might expect from an official royal visit was there – the receptions, the visits to schools and charities, to wounded soldiers and the disabled. Meghan and Harry’s speeches and their whole attitude has been designed to give the impression that they are still fully paid-up royals and William and his father King Charles don’t like it one bit.”

Quinn further explained that Charles feels Harry and Meghan have “gone rogue.” He said it’s like the couple are telling the King, “[we] don’t need your permission to be working royals – we will do it on our own terms whenever and wherever we like.”

The Sussexes Represented Themselves In Nigeria

Despite claims that Harry and Meghan were presenting themselves as working royals, royal commentator Charlotte Wace told The Times that there were major differences between their trip and an official royal visit.

“The press pack had been replaced by one reporter and one photographer. Most significantly they were representing themselves rather than the monarch and were free to choose their schedule,” she noted.

Wace added, “There appeared to be fewer formalities and more selfies compared with trips from the past.”

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Source: Los Angeles Times