The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, before an Abuja High Court on allegations of fraud involving ₦2.4 billion.
Oduah was charged alongside Gloria Odita on a five-count charge bordering on fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in January 2014 to fraudulently obtain ₦2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through two companies — Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd.
Prosecutors told the court that the pair falsely claimed the funds were for “Cost of Technical Supervision” and “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,” despite allegedly knowing the claims were untrue. The alleged offences contravene Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and are punishable under Section 1(3).
One of the counts states that on January 13, 2014, they obtained ₦839,780,738.90 under the guise of technical supervision. Another alleges that on February 12, 2014, they collected ₦1,629,250,000 for supposed security and logistics services through Global Offshore Marine Ltd.
The Federal Government also accused Oduah, then serving as minister, of dishonestly misappropriating the same funds meant for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd — a violation of Sections 311 and 315 of the Penal Code.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Onyechi Ikpeazu, representing Oduah, asked the court to grant her bail on self-recognisance, stressing that she voluntarily returned from the United States to honour the summons and had been on EFCC administrative bail.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, personally appeared for the prosecution and raised no objections to bail, but urged the court to fix a definite date for commencement of trial, noting the defendants had long been served with proof of evidence.
Justice Hamza Muazu granted Oduah and Odita bail on self-recognisance, ordering them to deposit their travel documents and seek the court’s approval before travelling. He advised that any request for temporary release of travel documents would be considered based on merit.
The case was adjourned to February 12 for the start of hearing.
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