N6bn Fraud: FG Rearraigns Former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah

The Federal Government on Wednesday rearraigned former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, before the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over an alleged N5 billion fraud.

The arraignment was carried out by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, who filed five counts against her, bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences.

One of the charges alleges that Oduah fraudulently obtained N2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources under the pretence that the funds were meant for technical supervision.

In other counts, she was accused of securing ₦1.6 billion and another ₦839 million through similar methods, contrary to the provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act. The offences were said to have occurred in January 2014.

Oduah was arraigned alongside a co-defendant, Gloria Odita, and both pleaded not guilty to all the charges. While Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) represented Oduah, Wale Balogun (SAN) appeared for Odita.

Justice Hamza Muazu admitted Oduah to bail on self-recognition but ordered her to submit her international passport to the court. He further ruled that she must not travel outside the country without court approval.

This marks the second prosecution of Oduah by the Federal Government over the matter. An earlier case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, was withdrawn.