Nigerian pilot faces five years in prison in the USA for giving false testimony

Olukayode Ojo, a 36-year-old Nigerian, faces a five-year prison sentence in Texas (USA) after being found guilty of making false statements to obtain a permit from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

PUNCH Online learned on Wednesday that US District Judge Jodi Dishman had ordered the Nigerian pilot to be detained pending sentencing following his guilty verdict.

U.S. Attorney Robert Troester announced Ojo's sentencing in a statement on the FAA's official website on Monday, disclosing that Ojo had attempted to obtain a medical certificate required to operate a commercial passenger aircraft, leading to his sentencing on August 16, 2024.

Troester noted that the case was part of a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon.

He said: “On June 4, 2024, a federal court jury returned a two-count indictment against Ojo, charging him with two counts of making a false statement. On August 16, 2024, a federal court jury found Ojo guilty on both counts.

“Evidence presented at trial revealed that on February 8, 2023, Ojo, an FAA-certified commercial airline pilot, pleaded guilty in Kentucky state court to two counts of theft in connection with the theft of passenger baggage 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 he applied for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate to cover up his criminal record. A First Class Medical Certificate allows a pilot to fly commercial passenger aircraft.”

The convicted man faces up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each count.