Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were given free flights around Nigeria by airline company Air Peace whose boss, Dr Allen Onyema, is reportedly wanted in the United States.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle completed a whirlwind 72-hour tour of Nigeria. (Image: Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were given complimentary flights around Nigeria by Air Peace, an airline company whose founder, Dr. Allen Onyema, is reportedly wanted in the United States.
The Sus𝑠e𝑥es were in Nigeria for a three-day trip to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. During their visit, they appeared at a mental health event at a secondary school in Abuja, and Harry participated in a sitting volleyball game with injured servicemen.
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The Duke and Duchess also attended a reception where Meghan co-hosted a women’s leadership event and revealed that a genealogy test showed she had Nigerian heritage. While British Airways was their choice for international travel, the courtesy flights within Nigeria were provided by Air Peace.
It has been reported that Dr Onyema faces multiple charges related to alleged fraud involving millions of dollars, dating back to November 2019.
However, there is no suggestion that Harry or Meghan were aware of the charges against the airline owner. The indictment alleges that Onyema used his status as a business leader and airline executive to launder more than $20million from Nigeria through US bank accounts, according to the Daily Mail.
The Duke and Duchess of Sus𝑠e𝑥 have come under fire for the environmental impact of their private flights. The couple, along with a small entourage, took a 120-seat plane on a 664-mile round trip.
This journey from Abuja to Lagos and back on May 12 resulted in approximately 12 tonnes of carbon emissions, three times the average global annual carbon footprint per person.
The Sus𝑠e𝑥es are known advocates against climate change. In 2019, they launched the Travalyst initiative, encouraging the tourism industry to adopt more sustainable practices.
Stanley Olisa, a representative of Air Peace, detailed how the Royal couple were offered complimentary flights during their three-day tour of Nigeria, marking the 10th anniversary of Prince Harry’s Invictus Games.
Speaking to The Mirror, Mr Olisa said: “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.”
Mr 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.”Prince William’s new role ‘is a slap in the face’ for Prince Harry20COMMENTSEveryone Laughed At Her At The Wedding, But 6 Years Later She Shows Her TransformationFree Hubby TaboolaSponsored LinksUnsold Hydraulic Cylinders In Mexico Might Almost Be Sold For Nothing!Hydraulic Cylindersby TaboolaSponsored Links
It is believed that the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, who officially invited the Sus𝑠e𝑥es to the country, organised travel within Nigeria for the Duke and Duchess.
The Sus𝑠e𝑥es have been contacted through their charity Archewell for this article.