For those readers not keeping a close watch on the Caribbean, tomorrow marks the reintroduction of scheduled nonstop airline service between Nigeria and Antigua & Barbuda; the controversial Nigerian carrier AIR PEACE, will commencing May 24, offer twice a month Boeing 777 flights from Murtala Muhammed international Airport in Lagos, arriving at Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados, and V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua.
I trust that I have your attention; the last time such nonstop service was operational in 2022-2023, over 900 passengers arrived from Nigeria, and the flights sparked public outcry, amid valid concerns that individuals were being exploited and illegally funneled into the Caribbean. The Government of Antigua opened 25 investigations into sex trafficking, labour trafficking, and unspecified forms of exploitation. There is a U.S. State Department Report on that case: "2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Antigua and Barbuda" https://lnkd.in/e6jwTR9K
While Antigua has since those early flights increased certain requirements of arriving passengers, we seriously doubt that, in a country where customs and immigration is notorious for accepting bribes and kickbacks, that traffickers will not be able to evade the additional measures since laid on. Additionally, and more ominously, there are reportedly zero restrictions and requirements for arriving African passengers coming into Barbados visa-free, due to policies instituted by Prime Minister Maria Amor Mottley, and there are concerns that this loophole will be exploited by professional human traffickers.
For those readers not from the United States, please note that the owner of Air Peace, the Nigerian lawyer, ALLEN ONYEMA, is under indictment and wanted in the United States on Federal criminal charges; since 2019, for Money Laundering and Bank Fraud, and since 2024, for Obstruction of Justice. The airline's Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, is also wanted on the same charges, and another codefendant has previously pled guilty for her role in the scheme. Given Onyema's close personal relationship with Antigua Prime Minister GASTON BROWNE, most legal observers believe that local law enforcement will choose to ignore any evidence of human trafficking into and through Antigua.
I trust that I have your attention; the last time such nonstop service was operational in 2022-2023, over 900 passengers arrived from Nigeria, and the flights sparked public outcry, amid valid concerns that individuals were being exploited and illegally funneled into the Caribbean. The Government of Antigua opened 25 investigations into sex trafficking, labour trafficking, and unspecified forms of exploitation. There is a U.S. State Department Report on that case: "2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Antigua and Barbuda" https://lnkd.in/e6jwTR9K
While Antigua has since those early flights increased certain requirements of arriving passengers, we seriously doubt that, in a country where customs and immigration is notorious for accepting bribes and kickbacks, that traffickers will not be able to evade the additional measures since laid on. Additionally, and more ominously, there are reportedly zero restrictions and requirements for arriving African passengers coming into Barbados visa-free, due to policies instituted by Prime Minister Maria Amor Mottley, and there are concerns that this loophole will be exploited by professional human traffickers.
For those readers not from the United States, please note that the owner of Air Peace, the Nigerian lawyer, ALLEN ONYEMA, is under indictment and wanted in the United States on Federal criminal charges; since 2019, for Money Laundering and Bank Fraud, and since 2024, for Obstruction of Justice. The airline's Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, is also wanted on the same charges, and another codefendant has previously pled guilty for her role in the scheme. Given Onyema's close personal relationship with Antigua Prime Minister GASTON BROWNE, most legal observers believe that local law enforcement will choose to ignore any evidence of human trafficking into and through Antigua.
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| Allen Onyema |
The U.S. Department of State, which has placed serious visa restrictions on Antiguan passport holders, will not be pleased to see that the country is about to again become a facilitator of human trafficking. We will be monitoring the situation, to see whether it will result in a further increase restrictions or sanctions upon Antigua and Barbuda.
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