Nigerian Pilot Faces 5-yr Jail Term Over False Declaration On Certificate In U.S.

A 36-year-old Nigerian pilot, Olukayode Ojo, is facing a potential five-year prison sentence in Texas, United States, after being found guilty of making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to obtain a certificate.

According to information obtained by on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Jodi Dishman ordered Ojo to remain in custody until his sentencing, following the guilty verdict.

U.S. Attorney Robert Troester announced the conviction on Monday, stating on the FAA’s official website that Ojo had been attempting to secure a medical certificate required for piloting a commercial passenger aircraft. His efforts led to his conviction on August 16, 2024.

Troester explained, “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.”

The investigation was conducted by the Transportation Security Administration—Investigations, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon prosecuting the case.

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Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Ojo, an FAA-certified commercial airline pilot, had pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor theft charges on February 8, 2023, in a Kentucky state court. The charges were related to the theft of passenger luggage from the baggage carousels at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

Subsequently, Ojo made false statements to the FAA in March 2023 and again in March 2024 while applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate, an essential credential for piloting commercial passenger aircraft. These false statements were made to conceal his previous criminal convictions.

Ojo now faces up to five years in federal prison for each count, along with fines of up to $250,000 per count. His sentencing date has not yet been announced.