The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned a former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, over an alleged ₦5 billion fraud.
The charges, filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, presented Oduah before Justice Hamza Muazu on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to the prosecution, the former minister allegedly obtained ₦2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through a company, Broad Waters Resources, under the claim that the funds were meant for technical supervision. The charge sheet read, “The defendant falsely represented that the sum of ₦2.4 billion was required for technical supervision, a claim the prosecution said was fraudulent.” The alleged offences were said to have been committed in January 2014.
In other counts, Oduah was accused of collecting additional sums of ₦1.6 billion and ₦839 million through similar fraudulent means. The prosecution noted that these alleged actions were contrary to provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud Act.
Oduah was arraigned alongside her co-defendant, Gloria Odita. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Oduah was represented by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), while Wale Balogun (SAN) appeared for her co-defendant.
Ruling on bail, Justice Muazu admitted the former minister to bail on self-recognition but ordered her to deposit her international passport with the court. The judge explicitly ruled, “She must not travel outside the country without the prior permission of this court.”
