A 36-year-old Nigerian pilot, Olukayode Ojo, is facing up to five years in prison in Texas, USA, for making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Ojo was convicted on August 16, 2024, after it was discovered that he lied to obtain a medical certificate necessary for piloting commercial passenger planes. The false information was meant to hide his past criminal convictions, including a 2023 theft case where he stole luggage at an airport in Kentucky.
Following the guilty verdict, U.S. District Judge Jodi Dishman ordered Ojo to remain in custody until his sentencing. U.S. Attorney Robert Troester, in a statement on the FAA’s website, confirmed that the pilot’s actions were part of an investigation led by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon.
Ojo’s false statements could lead to a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each count. His conviction marks a significant step in ensuring the safety and integrity of the aviation industry.