A Federal Capital Territory High Court has discharged and acquitted former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, bringing to a close a legal case that began in 2020.

The ruling was delivered on Thursday by Justice Muazu of the FCT High Court following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, who amended the original charges before the court.

Under the amended charge, two firms, Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited, were arraigned as defendants. Representatives of the companies entered guilty pleas on their behalf.

Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to convict the companies and order their winding up. The application was not opposed by defence counsel, and the court subsequently granted the request.

Counsel to Oduah, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), applied for her discharge following the amendment of the charge. The court granted the application, effectively clearing her of all allegations.

A similar application was made by Wale Balogun (SAN) on behalf of the second defendant, Gloria Odita, which was also granted.

The matter, initially filed in December 2020, has now been concluded with the court’s ruling.

Legal observers note that the outcome followed a shift in prosecutorial strategy, with the focus moving from individual defendants to corporate entities under the amended charge.

The companies were convicted under provisions of the Penal Code applicable in the Federal Capital Territory, with the court ordering their dissolution.

The case had attracted public attention over the years, given Oduah’s profile as a former cabinet member and senator.

With the acquittal and conclusion of proceedings, attention is expected to shift away from the courtroom, as stakeholders reflect on the legal and political dimensions that surrounded the matter.