Airline boss wanted over $US20m fraud flew Sussexes around Nigeria
Do as I say, not as I do, as ecowarriors Prince Harry and Meghan fly a private charter plane around Nigeria, paid for by a businessman wanted in the United States over a $US20m money laundering scheme.
That was quite the private visit to Nigeria, wasn’t it? Almost a week after Prince Harry and Meghan had such a wonderful time being feted by carefully curated “fans” and reluctant child props it has emerged that the ecowarrior pair had been shuttled around the country for various engagements by a man wanted by United States authorities for laundering more than $US20m through US bank accounts.
Dr Allen Onyema, founder of Nigerian airline Air Peace, was charged by the US authorities in 2019 for accusations of fraud, which he denies. He was pictured alongside Harry and Meghan during their three day African extravaganza and provided the couple and their entourage with free flights for their stay.
Stanley Olisa from Air Peace confirmed to the Mirror newspaper that the Sussexes were given the complimentary flights with “everything they wanted” because they are royals.
Mr Olisa told the paper: “The chairman of Air Peace (Dr Onyema) 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.”
We were elated to have on board earlier today the Duke & Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry & Meghan, as well as their entourage.
— Air Peace (@flyairpeace) May 12, 2024
The royal couple were received in Lagos by top-tier military officials, Air Peace Chairman, Dr Allen Onyema & other government delegates. pic.twitter.com/cmtQamuCQw
He added: “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.”
Harry was invited to the country by the Nigerian Defence chief of defence staff, General Christopher Musa to promote the Invictus Games, although the engagements were dominated by Meghan who dragged Harry around various photograph opportunities. On the final day there was a fundraising event for Invictus, which would benefit wounded soldiers in Lagos.
During their stay the Sussexes also heavily plugged their own foundation Archewell, which upon their return home had been briefly deemed to be “delinquent’’ by US authorities for lax paperwork. There is no suggestion the Sussexes knew of the US indictment against Dr Onyema, but the situation highlights how, without government oversight of the trip, the couple can be caught up in unexpected issues.
The quasi tour had all the hallmarks of a state reception with red carpet, invited celebrities, government dignitaries and hand picked supporters, prompting critics in Nigeria to demand transparency about the costs of hosting the couple. Some mothers of the school that the Sussexes visited on their first day were apparently upset at Meghan’s skin being exposed in a near backless dress.
At some of the events Meghan’s favourite photographer Misan Harriman was given exclusive access, providing emotive photographs of Harry with some wounded veterans – although the scene was curiously bereft of any of the usual hospital equipment and accoutrements.
Yet such was the impact of the Sussex tour, commentators have revisited suggestions that Meghan wants to enter politics, while in Britain, King Charles and Prince William are reported to be incandescent at the Sussexes cosplaying of royal activities. Behind palace walls there is concern the couple is taking advantage of a void left by the illness of the Princess of Wales, having cancer treatment, and the pared back activities of King Charles, also recovering from cancer treatment.
Meghan breathlessly told various US magazines that the Nigeria trip was “really meaningful. Just being able to connect to people … that’s what makes it special.”
Some of her pronouncements during the tour were peak-Meghan, especially now she has discovered she was 43 per cent Nigerian.
To a group of Nigerian business women, she postured: “And what has been echoed so much in the past day is, ‘Oh, we are not so surprised when we found out you are Nigerian’. It is a compliment to you because what they define as a Nigerian woman is brave, resilient, courageous, beautiful.”
Incredibly, the Sussexes – who left the royal family desiring privacy – are now reportedly planning more such trips, no doubt with a camera crew in tow, of course.
Cue more popcorn.
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