FG Files Fresh ₦5bn Corruption Case Against Ex-Aviation Minister Stella Oduah

The Federal Government on Wednesday initiated fresh criminal proceedings against a former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, over alleged corruption involving approximately ₦5 billion.

Oduah was arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja, in a suit filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. She faced five counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, and violating provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act.

In one of the key counts, the former minister was accused of fraudulently securing ₦2.4 billion through Broad Waters Resources from the Federal Ministry of Aviation, allegedly under the guise of funding technical supervision in January 2014. Additional counts alleged that she obtained ₦1.6 billion and ₦839 million using similar methods.

Oduah was arraigned alongside a co-defendant, Gloria Odita, with both defendants entering not-guilty pleas to all charges. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Onyechi Ikpeazu represented Oduah, while Wale Balogun (SAN) appeared for Odita.

Justice Hamza Muazu granted Oduah bail on self-recognition but ordered her to surrender her international passport to the court. She is prohibited from travelling outside the country without judicial approval.

This is the Federal Government’s second attempt at prosecuting the former minister over the alleged fraud. A previous case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the Federal High Court in Abuja was withdrawn.

PUNCH