• Court adjourns trial to February 12 and 13

The Federal Government, yesterday, arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Stella Adaeze Oduah, and her co-defendant, Gloria Odita, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on multiple counts bordering on alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.

According to the charge sheet presented before Justice Hamza Muazu, the defendants were accused of conspiring in January 2014 to obtain a total of N2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd under allegedly fraudulent claims.

The offence violates Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, and is punishable under Section 1(3). The defendants’ lawyers, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for Oduah and Wale Balogun (SAN) for Odita, subsequently moved bail applications. 

Ikpeazu urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition, noting that the first defendant has been a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and has voluntarily flown in from the United States to honour court summons, and has been on administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who appeared personally for the prosecution, said the government was not opposed to bail. 

However, he insisted that the court should give a firm date for the hearing, adding that the defendants were served as far back as November 27, 2025, and were fully aware of the steps they ought to take.

Justice Muazu granted Oduah bail on self-recognition and ordered the defendants to deposit their passports with the court. The presiding judge, thereafter, adjourned the matter to February 12 and 13, 2026, for trial.