Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, despite their activist aspirations, seem inexplicably drawn to controversies in the very regions they aim to champion.
Nigeria has become the latest stage for the Sussexes to encounter another potential nightmare, one that could even land them in legal trouble with American tax authorities, according to the Daily Mail. During their three-day tour of Nigeria, commemorating the 10th anniversary of Harry's Invictus Games, Meghan and Prince Harry enjoyed complimentary flights provided by Air Peace, a Nigerian airline founded by Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Athan Onyema.
However, Dr. Onyema is wanted in the US, facing multiple charges related to alleged fraud as outlined in a federal indictment from November 2019. Stanley Olisa from Air Peace confirmed that the Sussexes received these complimentary flights from Dr. Onyema, who ensured they had everything they needed due to their royal status. The indictment alleges that Onyema used his position as a prominent business leader and airline executive to launder over $20 million from Nigeria through US bank accounts.
Imagine this: Meghan and Harry, champions of humanitarianism, unwittingly cozying up to a man evading justice for financial crimes. It’s a baffling contradiction that leaves us scratching our heads. Did they not see the glaring red flags, or was their relentless pursuit of a charitable image blinding them to the dubious characters they were associating with? One can already imagine the rationalizations pouring in: How could they have known? But when your entire brand revolves around altruism, such lapses in judgment are not just embarrassing—they're damaging.
Meghan’s penchant for orchestrating self-serving photo ops seems to repeatedly land her in hot water. Whether Meghan was aware of Dr. Onyema’s shady dealings or not is beside the point; the mere association tarnishes the credibility of their humanitarian efforts. Optics matter in Meghan’s world of celebrity activism, and being seen hobnobbing with accused criminals undermines any message of social change she hopes to convey. Imagine being a Nigerian citizen supporting the Sussexes’ noble causes, only to discover that your hard-earned money might be lining the pockets of a fugitive wanted by American authorities. It’s a betrayal of trust that warrants immediate accountability and transparency. Yet, Meghan’s camp remains silent, plunging deeper into a quagmire of conspiracy theories and mudslinging.
Mr. Olisa told the Mirror that the planes were chartered exclusively for the Royals, ensuring they weren't flying with other passengers. “We understand that they're 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 Nigeria in the evening. Everything was complimentary,” he added. The chairman of Air Peace provided Prince Harry and Meghan with free flights to Lagos and back as part of his contribution to the successful hosting of the couple. The couple and their group traveled a total of 664 miles on a 120-seat plane, resulting in approximately 12 tons of carbon emissions. On average, one person’s annual carbon footprint is about 4 tons per year.
This staggering figure has stirred frustration towards the Sussexes, with some accusing them of hypocrisy. In 2019, while still serving as working Royals, they launched the Travalyst initiative, despite facing criticism for their use of private jets. Harry dedicated three years as the public face of the initiative, aiming to encourage the tourism industry to adopt more sustainable practices. This recent incident only adds fuel to the fire of their critics, highlighting the challenges and contradictions in their public and private lives.
