The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, alongside her co-defendant, Gloria Odita, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The duo face multiple charges, including alleged fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.
According to the charge sheet presented before Justice Hamza Muazu, the government alleges that Oduah and Odita conspired in January 2014 to fraudulently obtain ₦2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through two companies, Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd.
In the first count, prosecutors claim the defendants falsely represented the funds as payment for “Cost of Technical Supervision” and “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services”, despite allegedly knowing those claims were untrue.
The offence contravenes Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and is punishable under Section 1(3).
In the second count, the government alleges that on January 13, 2014, the defendants fraudulently obtained ₦839,780,738.90, again under the guise of technical supervision costs.
A third count accuses them of obtaining ₦1,629,250,000 on February 12, 2014, through Global Offshore Marine Ltd, purportedly for security and logistics services, a claim the prosecution insists was knowingly false.
Counts Four and Five further accuse Oduah, in her capacity as minister, of dishonestly misappropriating the same funds, which had been budgeted for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd.
The charge states she breached her official trust by authorising the transfer of the funds, contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them.
Following their plea, defence counsel, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for Oduah and Wale Balogun (SAN) for Odita moved applications for bail.
Ikpeazu urged the court to grant Oduah bail on self-recognition, noting her previous role as a Minister of the Federal Republic and her voluntary return from the United States to honour the court summons.
He also pointed out that she had been on administrative bail by the EFCC.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who personally led the prosecution, stated that the government did not oppose the bail applications.
However, he insisted that firm trial dates be fixed, recalling that the defendants were served court processes as far back as November 27, 2025.
Justice Muazu granted Oduah bail on self-recognition and directed that both defendants deposit their passports with the court.
He adjourned the case to February 12 and 13, 2026, for trial.
