Nigerian pilot sentenced to five years in prison and $250,000 fine in the US for making false statements

By John Ogunsemore

Nigerian pilot Olukayode Aduragbenro Ojo faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine after a federal court in the US state of Texas found him guilty on two counts of making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in order to obtain a medical certificate required to fly a commercial passenger aircraft.

US Attorney J. Troester announced this in a statement on Monday, August 26, and published it on the website of the Transport Security Administration (TSA).

Following the guilty verdict, U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman ordered Ojo to be remanded in custody pending sentencing.

Troester said evidence presented at trial indicated that Ojo, an FAA-certified commercial airline pilot, pleaded guilty in Kentucky state court on February 8, 2023, to two counts of theft for stealing passenger luggage from the baggage carousels at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

“Ojo then made false statements to the FAA in March 2023 and March 2024 when applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate in order to conceal his criminal record.

“A first class medical certificate entitles a pilot to fly commercial passenger aircraft,” the statement said.

On June 4, a federal grand jury indicted Ojo on two counts, charging him with two counts of perjury.

On August 16, a federal court jury found Ojo guilty on both counts.

The convicted person faces up to five years in a federal prison and fines of up to $250,000.00 for each count.