Court adjourns Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah’s alleged N2.4bn fraud trial to March 5

An Abuja High Court on Thursday adjourned further proceedings in the alleged N2.4 billion fraud case involving Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation,and a co-defendant, Gloria Odita, until March 5.

Justice Hamza Muazu postponed the trial after Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), informed the court that Oduah had submitted a formal application to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

According to Oyedepo, the request was filed pursuant to Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

The DPP told the court that consultations were ongoing regarding the application and sought a specific date either for a report on its outcome or for continuation of trial.

Tobechukwu Michael (SAN), Defence counsel representing the first defendant, as well as Wale Balogun (SAN), aligned with the prosecution’s submission.

Oduah and Odita were arraigned by the Office of the AGF on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.

The Federal Government alleges that in January 2014, the defendants conspired to fraudulently obtain ₦2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd.

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly presented the funds as payments for “Cost of Technical Supervision” and “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,” representations the prosecution maintains were 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) of the same Act.

Specifically, the prosecution claims that on January 13, 2014, the defendants secured ₦839,780,738.90 under the guise of technical supervision costs.

In another count, it is alleged that on February 12, 2014, they obtained ₦1,629,250,000 from the ministry through Global Offshore Marine Ltd for purported security and logistics support services.

In counts four and five, the government accused Oduah, in her capacity as minister at the time, of misappropriating funds allocated to a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd. She is alleged to have authorised the transfer of the sums in breach of her official duties, contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code.

Both defendants have denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all charges.