A 36-year-old Nigerian pilot, Olukayode Ojo, is facing a potential five-year prison sentence in Texas after being found guilty of making false statements to acquire a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
According to reports, U.S. District Judge Jodi Dishman ordered Ojo’s detention following the guilty verdict. The announcement of his conviction was made by U.S. Attorney Robert Troester on Monday through a statement posted on the FAA’s official website.
The conviction stems from Ojo’s attempts to obtain a medical certificate necessary for piloting commercial passenger aircraft. He was found guilty on August 16, 2024, as part of an investigation conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Troester stated, “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 jury found him guilty on both counts.”
Evidence presented at trial revealed that Ojo, who was already an FAA-certified commercial pilot, had pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor theft charges in February 2023 for stealing passenger luggage at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
In March 2023 and March 2024, Ojo made false statements to the FAA while applying for a First Class Medical Certificate, attempting to conceal his prior criminal convictions. This certificate is essential for pilots of commercial passenger aircraft.
If sentenced, Ojo could face up to five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each count.
