Former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah have been arraigned in Abuja over alleged ₦2.4bn fraud.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, and her co-defendant, Gloria Odita, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on multiple charges involving alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.
According to the charge sheet presented before Justice Hamza Muazu, the duo allegedly conspired in January 2014 to fraudulently obtain a total of ₦2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd under false claims.
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In Count One, prosecutors accused Oduah and Odita of falsely representing that the funds were meant for “Cost of Technical Supervision” and “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,” despite knowing the claims were untrue. The alleged offence violates Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and is punishable under Section 1(3).
Count Two alleges that on January 13, 2014, the defendants fraudulently obtained ₦839,780,738.90, claiming it was payment for technical supervision, while Count Three states that on February 12, 2014, they secured ₦1,629,250,000 through Global Offshore Marine Ltd for purported security and logistics services, which investigators say were fabricated.
In Counts Four and Five, the Federal Government accuses Oduah, then serving as minister, of dishonestly misappropriating the funds originally allocated for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd. The prosecution claims she authorised the transfer of the funds in breach of her official trust, contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following the arraignment, defence counsel, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for Oduah and Wale Balogun (SAN) for Odita moved applications for bail. Ikpeazu argued that Oduah should be granted bail on self-recognition, noting her previous ministerial status, her voluntary return from the United States to honour the court summons, and her ongoing cooperation under EFCC administrative bail.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who personally led the prosecution, said the government was not opposing bail but stressed the need for the court to set firm trial dates, noting that the defendants had been served since November 27, 2025.
Justice Muazu granted Oduah bail on self-recognition and ordered both defendants to submit their international passports to the court.
The case was adjourned to February 12 and 13, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
