N2.4bn Fraud: Ex-Aviation Minister Oduah, Associate Arraigned

Former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, was on Wednesday arraigned before an Abuja High Court on allegations bordering on fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust to the tune of ₦2.4 billion.

Oduah was docked alongside Gloria Odita, her former aide, with both defendants facing a five-count charge filed by the Federal Government. The arraignment marks a significant development in a long-running investigation into financial transactions carried out during Oduah’s tenure as aviation minister.

According to the prosecution, the pair allegedly conspired in January 2014 to fraudulently obtain a total of ₦2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation. The funds were said to have been channelled through two companies—Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd—under claims that they were meant for “Cost of Technical Supervision” and “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services.”

Court documents state that Oduah and Odita purportedly made the representations knowing them to be false. The alleged offences contravene Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and are punishable under Section 1(3).

The prosecution further detailed specific transactions. On January 13, 2014, the defendants allegedly secured ₦839,780,738.90 under the guise of technical supervision services. A second tranche of ₦1,629,250,000 was allegedly obtained on February 12, 2014, through Global Offshore Marine Ltd for purported security and logistics support—an explanation the government insists was fraudulent.

In the fourth and fifth counts, Oduah is accused of dishonestly misappropriating the same funds, which were originally earmarked for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd. As minister, she allegedly authorised their diversion, an act classified as a breach of official trust under Sections 311 and 315 of the Penal Code.

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Both defendants pleaded not guilty.

Oduah’s legal team, led by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), sought bail on self-recognition, arguing that she had honoured prior invitations by investigators and willingly appeared in court. Odita’s counsel, Wale Balogun (SAN), also applied for bail and requested clarity regarding her travel documents.

Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), personally led the prosecution. While he did not oppose bail, he pressed the court to set a definite timetable for the trial, noting the government’s readiness to proceed.

Justice Hamza Muazu granted bail to the two defendants on self-recognition. He ordered them to deposit their travel documents with the court and obtain permission before any foreign travel.

The matter was adjourned until February 12 for the commencement of trial.