The Federal Government on Wednesday carry former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, and one Gloria Odita, go Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for Maitama, Abuja. Dem face multiple charges wey get to do with alleged fraud, obtaining money by false pretence and breach of trust.
Allegations Against Oduah
According to the charge sheet wey dem present before Justice Hamza Muazu, the former Minister and her co-defendant allegedly join body for January 2014 to collect N2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation. Dem take Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd as cover under wetin prosecution describe as fraudulent claims.
Breakdown of Counts
Count One
For count one, the government allege say the two women “agree among themselves” to obtain the huge money by pretending say na payment for ‘Cost of Technical Supervision’ and ‘Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services’, even though dem know say the claim no true.
The offence, according to prosecution, fall under Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, and e dey punishable under Section 1(3).
Count Two
The FG talk say on January 13, 2014, the defendants collect N839,780,738.90, claiming say na for technical supervision, but the prosecution insist say na false claim.
Count Three
On February 12, 2014, the defendants allegedly collect N1,629,250,000 through Global Offshore Marine Ltd, claiming say na for security support services. Government say dem knowingly present false information.
Counts Four and Five
The federal government accuse Oduah, as Minister that time, of dishonestly misappropriating the same funds wey government allocate give 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd for contract. The charge talk say she “dishonestly authorize transfer of the funds,” wey amount to breach of her official trust. These offences fall under Section 311 and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code.
Oduah Pleads Not Guilty
When dem read the five-count charge for court, Oduah and her co-defendant both plead not guilty.
Lawyers of the defendants — Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN (for Oduah), and Wale Balogun, SAN (for Odita) — move application make court grant their clients bail.
Ikpeazu argue say his client deserve bail on self-recognition because she don serve as Minister of the Federal Republic, and she even fly come from United States by herself to answer court summons. He add say EFCC don already grant her administrative bail before.
Prosecution Not Opposed to Bail
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, appear personally for the prosecution. He talk say the FG no dey oppose bail, but insist make court fix solid hearing date. He remind court say defendants don receive their court papers since November 27, 2025, so dem sabi the steps wey dem suppose take.
Court’s Ruling
Justice Hamza Muazu grant Oduah bail based on self-recognition, and order all defendants to submit their international passports to the court.
The judge then adjourn the matter go February 12 and 13, 2026, for the main trial to begin.
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