A 36-year-old Nigerian pilot, Olukayode Ojo, has been convicted of making false statements to obtain a medical certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He faces a potential five-year prison sentence and fines of up to $250,000 for each count.
According to US Attorney Robert Troester, Ojo was found guilty on August 16, 2024, of making false statements while attempting to secure a medical certificate necessary for flying commercial passenger aircraft. The case resulted from an investigation by the Transportation Security Administration—Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant US Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon.
The trial revealed that Ojo, an FAA-certified commercial pilot, had previously pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor theft charges in Kentucky state court related to the theft of passenger luggage from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. He then submitted false statements to the FAA in March 2023 and March 2024 while applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
US District Judge Jodi Dishman ordered Ojo to be held in custody until his sentencing. If convicted, Ojo faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each count.”
