The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, and one Gloria Odita before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja, on multiple counts bordering on alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.
The arraignment marks a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to prosecute high-profile financial crimes allegedly committed during previous administrations.
According to the charge sheet presented before trial judge Justice Hamza Muazu, Oduah and her co-defendant were accused of conspiring in January 2014 to obtain a total sum of 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 claims the prosecution described as fraudulent.
Breakdown of the Alleged Fraud
In count one, the prosecution alleged that Oduah and Odita “agreed amongst yourselves to obtain the whopping sum of N2,469,030,738.90 by falsely 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 alleged offence violates Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and is punishable under Section 1(3).
In count two, the Federal Government alleged that on January 13, 2014, the defendants obtained N839,780,738.90, also under the guise that the amount represented “Cost of Technical Supervision.”
Count three stated that on February 12, 2014, the defendants obtained N1,629,250,000 from the ministry through Global Offshore Marine Ltd, claiming it was payment for “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,” a claim the prosecution argued was knowingly false.
Counts four and five accused Oduah, who was minister at the time, of dishonestly misappropriating the same sums, which were allegedly earmarked for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd. According to the charge, she “dishonestly misappropriated the sum by authorizing the transfer of the said sum, which act is a breach of your official trust,” contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code.
Defendants Plead Not Guilty
When the charges were read out in open court, Oduah and her co-defendant pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge.
Immediately after the plea, their lawyers — Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, appearing for Oduah, and Wale Balogun, SAN, representing Odita — moved applications for their bail.
Arguing on behalf of Oduah, Ikpeazu urged the court to grant bail on self-recognition, emphasizing that his client had served as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, had voluntarily flown in from the United States to honour the court summons, and had been on administrative bail granted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
FG Not Opposed to Bail
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, appeared personally for the prosecution. He told the court that the Federal Government was not opposed to the bail applications.
However, he insisted that the court should fix a firm trial date, noting that the defendants were served as far back as November 27, 2025, and were fully aware of the steps expected of them.
Court Grants Bail, Sets Trial Date
In his ruling, Justice Hamza Muazu granted Oduah bail on self-recognition and ordered both defendants to deposit their international passports with the court. The judge also warned that neither party is permitted to travel outside the country without express court approval.
Justice Muazu subsequently adjourned the matter to February 12 and 13, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
