The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, before an Abuja High Court over an alleged N2.4 billion fraud linked to her time in office.
The Nigerian News Agency reported that Oduah was arraigned alongside Gloria Odita on a five-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired in January 2014 to obtain N2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through two companies — Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd — under false claims.
The charge stated, “The defendants agreed amongst themselves to obtain a sum of Two Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty-Nine Million, Thirty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Eight Naira, Nine Kobo (N2,469,030,738.90) by false pretence. Pretending that the said sum represented ‘Cost of Technical Supervision’ and ‘Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services’, which representation you knew to be false.”
The government also alleged that on January 13, 2014, the pair obtained N839,780,738.90 by falsely claiming it was payment for “Cost of Technical Supervision.”
Another count claimed that on February 12, 2014, the defendants obtained N1,629,250,000 from the ministry, claiming it was for “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,” which the prosecution said was false.
In two further counts, Oduah was accused of dishonestly misappropriating the same sums, which had been earmarked for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd. The charge said she “dishonestly misappropriated the sum by authorising the transfer of the said sum, which act is a breach of your official trust.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Their lawyers, Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN for Oduah, and Wale Balogun SAN for Odita, asked the court to grant bail. Ikpeazu urged the court to grant Oduah bail on self-recognition, noting that she voluntarily returned from the United States to honour the summons and had been on EFCC administrative bail.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, appeared personally for the prosecution. He said the government was not opposed to bail but stressed that the court should set a firm trial date, noting that the defendants had been served with proof of evidence since November 27.
Justice Hamza Muazu granted both Oduah and Odita bail on self-recognisance. He also ordered them to deposit their travel documents with the court and seek permission before any travel.
The case was adjourned until February 12 for the start of trial.
