The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah in an Abuja High Court over allegations of fraud totaling N2.4 billion. Oduah appeared alongside Gloria Odita, facing a five-count charge involving fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust. According to the prosecution, in January 2014, the defendants allegedly conspired to unlawfully obtain N2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd by submitting false claims. The charges allege that Oduah and Odita “agreed among themselves to obtain the sum of Two Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty-Nine Million, Thirty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Eight Naira, Nine Kobo (₦2,469,030,738.90) by false pretence,” claiming it was for “Cost of Technical Supervision” and “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,” which the prosecution says was untrue. The offences reportedly violate Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and carry penalties under Section 1(3). Specifically, the government alleged that on January 13, 2014, the defendants obtained ₦839,780,738.90 by falsely representing it as payment for “Cost of Technical Supervision.” On February 12, 2014, they allegedly obtained ₦1,629,250,000 under the pretext of “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services.” Counts Four and Five accuse Oduah, as minister at the time, of misappropriating the same funds earmarked for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd, in breach of Section 311 of the Penal Code. Both defendants pleaded not guilty. Their lawyers, Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN for Oduah and Wale Balogun SAN for Odita, applied for bail. Ikpeazu requested Oduah be granted bail on self-recognition, noting that she voluntarily returned from the United States and had previously been on administrative bail by the EFCC. Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, who appeared for the prosecution, said the government had no objection to bail but urged the court to set a firm hearing date, noting that the defendants had been served with the proof of evidence since November 27. Justice Hamza Muazu granted both Oduah and Odita bail on self-recognition, directing them to deposit travel documents and seek court permission before traveling. The case was adjourned until February 12, 2026, for further proceedings.
