Nigerian pilot Olukayode Ojo has been found guilty of making false statements to obtain a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration and is facing a potential five-year jail term in Texas, United States.
According to a statement from US Attorney Robert Troester, Ojo, a certified commercial airline pilot, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour theft charges in Kentucky state court in February 2023.
The charges were related to the theft of passenger luggage from the baggage carousels at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
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 criminal history.
This certificate is essential for piloting commercial passenger aircraft.
After a federal jury found Ojo guilty on both counts of making false statements, he could face up to five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each count.
US District Judge Jodi Dishman has ordered Ojo’s detention until his sentencing.
