A 36-year-old Nigerian man named Olukayode Ojo is currently facing a five-year prison sentence in Texas, United States.
This sentencing comes after Ojo was found guilty of making false statements to obtain a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is required for those seeking to pilot commercial passenger aircraft.
Following the guilty verdict, U.S. District Judge Jodi Dishman ordered that Ojo be detained until his sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Robert Troester announced Ojo’s conviction on Monday through a statement released on the FAA’s official website. According to the statement, Ojo had been attempting to obtain a medical certificate, which is a necessary requirement for anyone who wants to fly a commercial passenger aircraft. It was this attempt that ultimately led to his conviction on August 16, 2024.
Troester explained that the case was the result of a thorough investigation conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – Investigations unit. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon, who presented evidence to demonstrate that Ojo had knowingly made false statements to federal authorities in order to obtain the FAA certificate. This type of certificate is crucial for pilots who wish to operate commercial aircraft, as it verifies their medical fitness to safely perform the demanding tasks required by their profession.
It was revealed that “on June 4, 2024, a federal jury returned a two-count superseding indictment against Ojo, charging him with two counts of making a false statement. On August 16, 2024, a federal jury found Ojo guilty on both counts.” This means that Ojo was formally charged with making false statements on two separate occasions, and a jury found him guilty of both charges after hearing the evidence presented in court.
According to the information shared by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, “Evidence presented at trial indicated that Ojo, an FAA-certified commercial airline pilot, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor theft charges on February 8, 2023, in Kentucky state court in connection with a theft of passenger luggage from the baggage carousels at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.” This admission of guilt in a state court showed that Ojo had a prior history of criminal behavior, which he then sought to conceal from federal authorities.
Further details provided in the statement clarify how Ojo attempted to hide his criminal past. The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that “Ojo then made false statements to the FAA in March 2023 and March 2024 while applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate to conceal his history of prior criminal convictions. A First Class Medical Certificate permits an airman to pilot commercial passenger aircraft.” These actions were taken by Ojo in an effort to cover up his previous convictions and mislead the FAA into believing he was fit to continue flying.
The FAA First Class Medical Certificate is a critical component for any pilot who intends to fly commercially. It involves a rigorous examination process that ensures the pilot is in good health and capable of handling the physical and mental demands of piloting an aircraft. By falsifying information on his application, Ojo attempted to bypass this process, thereby posing a potential risk to public safety. His actions were not only a violation of federal law but also a breach of the trust placed in him as a certified pilot.
If sentenced to the full five-year term, Ojo will face a lengthy period of incarceration.
