Alleged N5bn fraud: Ex-minister Stella Oduah arraigned, barred from foreign trips

File: Stella Oduah

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The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, over an alleged N5bn fraud allegedly committed in 2014.

Oduah, who was aviation minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan between 2011 and 2014 appeared before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama on five counts, including conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences.

She was arraigned by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

In one of the counts, Oduah was accused of fraudulently obtaining N2.4bn through Broad Waters Resources from the Federal Ministry of Aviation, falsely claiming the funds were meant for technical supervision.

The alleged fraud is said to have occurred in January 2014.

Other counts allege that she similarly obtained N1.6bn  and another N839m through false pretences, contrary to the provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act.

Oduah was arraigned alongside a co-defendant, Gloria Odita.

Both pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Oduah was represented by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), while Wale Balogun (SAN) appeared for Odita.

Justice Hamza Muazu granted Oduah bail on self-recognisance but ordered her to deposit her passport with the court.

The judge also directed that she must not leave the country without the court’s permission.

This marks the second time the Federal Government has prosecuted Oduah over this matter. An earlier case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the Federal High Court, Abuja, was withdrawn.

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