Senator Stella Oduah, a former Minister of Aviation, was arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory’s High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday by the Federal Government on charges of corruption.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, charged her with five counts of conspiracy and acquiring money under false pretenses.
Oduah was charged in one count with collecting N2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation under false pretenses through Broad Waters Resources.
She was accused of making a fake pretense that the money was for technical oversight.
In January 2014, Oduah was accused of fraudulently obtaining ₦2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through a company, Broad Waters Resources, under the pretense of technical supervision.
She was also accused of collecting ₦1.6 billion and ₦839 million using similar means, violating the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud provisions.
Gloria Odita, the former minister’s co-defendant, was also arraigned. Both suspects have pled not guilty to all counts.
Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) represented Oduah at the arraignment, and Wale Balogun (SAN) appeared for Odita.
Justice Hamza Muazu admitted Oduah to bond on self-recognition but ordered her to surrender her international passport to the court. The judge further ordered that she not leave the country without the approval of the court.
This is the second time the federal government has prosecuted Oduah in this case. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission withdrew a previous complaint against her before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
