A dispute has erupted between Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, and the Umueri community in Anambra East Local Government Area over the ownership and payment for land earmarked for a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Chinua Achebe International Cargo Airport, Umueri.
The disagreement stems from viral social media reports alleging that Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, paid N100 million to the Umueri community for the land.
The community has strongly denied the claim, insisting it neither allocated the land nor received any payment.
Air Peace, however, maintained that the N100 million was indeed paid—but to the Anambra State Government, not the community. The airline stated that the payment was made for the designated property under official approval.
In a statement titled “Umueri Community Sets the Record Straight,” the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Bennett Emeka, described the reports as “false and misleading.”
“The false claims allege that Chief Onyema decided to site his N32 billion MRO facility in Lagos because the local community refused to provide land for the project, even after he had paid them N100 million.
The Umueri community categorically states that these claims are false,” the monarch said.
He explained that Onyema’s application for land to construct the MRO facility was approved by former Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who also allocated portions of land within the airport premises to the Nigerian Air Force.
“It is not true that Chief Onyema paid the Umueri community N100 million.
We never allocated any land to him. The Anambra State Government did. We, therefore, could not have demanded or received any payment from him,” the monarch added, noting that the community has documents to support its position.
Responding swiftly, Air Peace, in a statement by its spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, reaffirmed that Onyema did not misrepresent facts regarding the land transaction.
The airline’s statement, titled “Anambra Airport – Allen Onyema Did Not Lie About Paying N100m for Aircraft Maintenance Facility Land,” clarified that its dealings were strictly with the state government.
“At no time did Dr. Onyema or Air Peace accuse the Umueri community of refusing land allocation, receiving money, or being in dispute with the airline. The Igwe’s media release is therefore unprovoked, baseless, and misplaced,” the statement read.
Air Peace disclosed that the N100 million payment was made directly to the Anambra State Government on August 26, 2021, with an official receipt issued.
A Certificate of Occupancy for the land was later granted on September 14, 2021.
The airline also shared documentary evidence of the payment, stressing that Onyema’s integrity remains unquestionable, citing his “transparent record of service to Nigeria and his unwavering commitment to national development.”