The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, over alleged involvement in a N5 billion fraud scheme.
Oduah was brought before Justice Hamza Muazu on a five-count charge filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The charges border on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to one of the counts, Oduah allegedly secured ₦2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation in January 2014 through a company, Broad Waters Resources, claiming the funds were meant for technical supervision.
She is also accused of fraudulently obtaining an additional ₦1.6 billion and ₦839 million using similar methods, in violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act.
Oduah was arraigned alongside her co-defendant, Gloria Odita. Both pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The former minister was represented by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), while Gloria Odita was represented by Wale Balogun (SAN).
Justice Muazu granted Oduah bail based on self-recognition but ordered her to submit her international passport and barred her from travelling without the court’s permission.
This marks the second attempt by the Federal Government to prosecute Oduah over the matter, after an earlier case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the Federal High Court, Abuja, was withdrawn.
