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.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has expressed confidence that Nigeria will soon be removed from the United States’ Country of Particular Concern (CPC) list, a designation tied to religious freedom concerns.

Speaking at the second triannual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja, Akume said Nigeria is currently navigating a fragile period marked by divisive political rhetoric, insecurity, and declining trust among religious communities, tensions he said recently came close to triggering a religious crisis.

Akume explained that the U.S designation spurred extensive diplomatic efforts and internal reforms aimed at clarifying global misconceptions about Nigeria’s security and religious landscape.

He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set up a new U.S–Nigeria Joint Working Group on Security, with NIREC expected to contribute significantly through non-military, dialogue-driven peace strategies.

While acknowledging progress, he said the restoration of mutual trust between Christians and Muslims remains the most urgent challenge.

He urged religious leaders to address harmful rhetoric and rebuild collaboration, unity, and peaceful coexistence.

Citing recent violent incidents stretching from Benue to Kwara, and attacks in Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara, Akume said security agencies are intensifying rescue operations and arrests.

However, he stressed that public narratives often falsely portray the violence as a war between religions.

According to him, both Christians and Muslims have suffered devastating losses from insurgency, banditry, and communal conflict.

He appealed to Nigerians to avoid framing violence through a religious lens, warning that such narratives deepen suspicion and erode national cohesion.

“The issue is not to compare which group has suffered more,” he said.

“Violence in Nigeria is complex and not one-sided. Every killing wounds the whole nation. An interfaith approach is the only sustainable path to peace.”

Akume reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to securing all communities and insisted that while international partnerships are welcome, “Nigeria must craft Nigerian solutions.”

He outlined priority areas where government and religious leaders must collaborate: inclusive policymaking, conflict-early-warning mechanisms, interfaith peacebuilding, justice, and the education of young people against hate speech and extremism.

The CAN President and NIREC Co-Chairman, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described the meeting as timely, noting that insecurity, ranging from banditry to kidnapping and violent extremism, continues to devastate communities nationwide.

He warned that the resulting fear and displacement are crippling the economy: farmers cannot reach their farmlands, traders face mounting risks, and investors are discouraged by instability.

Okoh commended the Tinubu administration’s recent efforts to strengthen the security apparatus, but urged government to intensify its interventions.

He said religious leaders also bear a moral responsibility to rebuild trust among communities and promote peaceful coexistence.

He emphasised that peace cannot be achieved without justice: attackers and their sponsors must face the law, victims must be supported, and all groups must feel equally protected.

Co-Chairman of NIREC and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, urged religious leaders to be sincere in their engagement, saying interfaith dialogue is pointless if participants preach harmony publicly but promote division privately.

He reminded the audience that Nigeria is multi-religious, and that Sharia law applies solely to Muslims, just as other legal systems protect all citizens.

“Our faiths teach truth, kindness, and love for our neighbours,” he said.

“We must live by these values.”

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed growing claims that he has deliberately avoided engaging members of the State House of Assembly, especially those aligned with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Ahoda–Omoku Road extension in Ahoada West, Fubara insisted that he has kept communication channels open and remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the state.

The governor explained that his recent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was purely to address the state’s interests and not for any personal or political agenda.

According to him, he has made several attempts to meet with the lawmakers, but the expected gathering could not hold because the party leadership had not scheduled it as previously agreed.

“There’s been a lot of wrong information circulating,” he told supporters.

“Yes, I visited the President, but it was strictly for the good of Rivers State. I have no quarrel with members of the National Assembly or with our state legislators.

“I have done everything possible to sit with them. The party leadership, headed by Chief Ferdinand Anababra, knows this. It was agreed that our leader, the Minister, would coordinate the meeting. But up till this moment, no date has been set.”

Fubara stressed that claims suggesting he had shut out the lawmakers were “completely untrue,” adding that he had no reason to block anyone from accessing him or raising their concerns.

He described himself as someone who had suffered from “single narratives” and vowed to always clarify issues when misinformation spreads.

The governor thanked residents of Ahoada, Ogba, Ekpeye, and surrounding communities for their continued support, assuring them that his administration was fully committed to grassroots development.

“We are ready to reach every community with our message of development and progress,” he said.

On the commissioned road, Fubara reminded the audience that extending the Ahoda–Omoku Road was a pledge he made during his campaign.

While Wike inaugurated the first phase as governor, Fubara said the second phase completed under his administration fulfilled his promise to the people.

He added that the upgraded road would enhance economic activities and improve security along the corridor.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He made the declaration on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Fubara explained that his decision was influenced by his desire to openly support President Bola Tinubu, noting that Tinubu’s backing was instrumental to his continued stay in office.

According to him, “without Mr President, there wouldn’t be any His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara; it would have been the former governor.”

He added that true support for the President cannot be done “from the backyard,” stressing that aligning fully with the APC was necessary.

“So, having received the green light, everyone who has stood with me and endured this journey with me, our decision this evening is that we are moving to the APC,” he declared.

Fubara’s move follows a growing exodus from the PDP in Rivers State.

Just four days earlier, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, alongside 17 other lawmakers, defected to the APC, citing internal party crises.

Also among the defectors were several key legislators including the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol; Major Jack; Linda Stewart; Franklin Nwabochi; Azeru Opara; Smart Adoki; Enemi George; Solomon Wami; Igwe Aforji; Tekena Wellington; Looloo Opuende; Peter Abbey; Arnold Dennis; Chimezie Nwankwo; Gerald Oforji; and Ofiks Kabang.

With the Assembly leadership switching parties, reports surfaced that pressure was mounting on Fubara to join the APC as well.

The South-South, long considered a PDP stronghold since 1999, has seen significant shifts in recent years.

The party’s loss in the 2015 presidential election triggered a wave of defections that has continued to reshape the region.

Before Tuesday’s announcement, Fubara was the last remaining PDP governor in the South-South.

In 2025 alone, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno switched to the APC in April and June.

Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri followed suit in November.

Fubara’s defection marks the first time Rivers State will be governed by an APC governor.

Observers note that the PDP’s dominance in the state began to weaken after former Governor Nyesom Wike backed APC candidate Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, a move some PDP leaders described as anti-party.

Wike was later appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by President Tinubu.

The strained relationship between Wike and Fubara escalated into a political crisis, which culminated in the attempted impeachment of Fubara, the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex and the division of lawmakers along loyalty lines.

The tension deepened in March when President Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the lawmakers.

A retired naval officer, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete, was appointed as the administrator.

The emergency rule ended on September 17, leading to the reinstatement of the governor, his deputy, and the Assembly members.

Meanwhile, the PDP continues to grapple with internal divisions at the national level, with rival factions emerging and expulsion battles intensifying after the 2023 presidential election.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has officially confirmed his move to the Accord Party, declaring it as his new political platform ahead of his re-election bid scheduled for August next year.

The governor revealed this in a post on his verified X account on Tuesday, only days after announcing his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to Adeleke, he had secretly joined the Accord Party over a month earlier, on November 6, 2025, following extensive consultations with political stakeholders and influential leaders.

He explained that his decision was driven by the party’s philosophy of welfarism, which aligns with his administration’s emphasis on prioritizing citizens’ and workers’ welfare.

Adeleke noted that residents and political actors in Osun State were already aware of the reasons behind the move, adding that the Accord Party would serve as the platform for his second-term campaign and the continuation of various developmental projects his administration has begun.

He expressed admiration for the party’s ideological stance, stating that the principal duty of government is to ensure the wellbeing of its people.

The governor also welcomed the national leadership of Accord to Osun State, emphasizing unity, inclusiveness, and shared commitment toward delivering good governance.

“Our mission is to maintain a united front as we head into future elections,” he said.

“We must foster inclusive leadership that protects the interests of all groups. The Accord Party is prepared to take charge in Osun and ensure continuity in delivering democratic benefits to our people.”

Adeleke resigned from the PDP on December 2, citing the persistent leadership crisis at the national level.

In a letter addressed to the party chairman of Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, in Ede North LGA, he expressed appreciation for the opportunities the PDP gave him, first as Senator for Osun West (2017–2019) and later as Governor.