Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were given complimentary flights around Nigeria by an airline company whose owner is allegedly wanted in the United States.
Dr. Allen Onyema, the founder of Nigerian airline Air Peace, provided the Sussexes with internal flights during their three-day visit where Harry was marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
During their tour, the royal couple visited a secondary school in Abuja to inaugurate a mental health event and Harry participated in a sitting volleyball game with injured servicemen.
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The Duke and Duchess also delivered speeches at a reception and Meghan co-hosted a women’s leadership event, revealing that a genealogy test showed she has Nigerian heritage. The Sussexes flew British Airways to and from Nigeria, but the courtesy flights were offered by Air Peace.
Airline owner Dr Onyema faces multiple charges over alleged fraud involving millions of dollars in an indictment dating back to November 2019, according to reports.
There is no suggestion that Harry or Meghan would have been aware of the charges against the airline’s owner.
Onyema is accused of “using his status as a prominent business leader and airline executive to launder more than $20million (£15.8 million) from Nigeria through US bank accounts”, as per the indictment, reported the Mirror.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have come under fire for their use of private flights, which are known to have a significant environmental impact. The couple, along with a small group, took a 120-seat plane on a 664-mile round trip.
(Image: X/Ifeallenonyema)
This journey, from Abuja to Lagos and back on May 12, is estimated to have produced around 12 tonnes of carbon emissions. To put this into perspective, the average global carbon footprint per person per year is approximately four tonnes.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been vocal advocates for combating climate change. In 2019, they launched the Travalyst initiative, encouraging the tourism industry to adopt more sustainable practices.
Stanley Olisa, a representative from Air Peace, detailed how the Sussexes were offered complimentary flights during their three-day tour of Nigeria, marking the 10th anniversary of Harry’s Invictus Games.
(Image: No credit)
Olisa explained: “The planes were chartered. It was just the royals and their entourage. They were not flying with other passengers. 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.”
Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, director of sports for the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, who accompanied Harry and Meghan on the 42-metre Embraer E195-E2, confirmed: “There were maybe 15 or 20 of us on the flight.”
Olisa added: “The chairman of Air Peace gave Prince Harry and his wonderful wife Meghan free flights to Lagos and back as part of his contribution to the successful hosting of the couple.”