‘N2.4bn fraud’: FG arraigns former Aviation Minister

The Federal Government on Wednesday, arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, and one, Gloria Odita, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 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 the trial Judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, the former Minister and her co-defendant were accused of conspiring in January 2014 to obtain a total sum of N2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd under alleged fraudulent claims.

In count one of the charge, the prosecution alleged that Oduah and Odita, “agreed amongst yourselves to obtain the whopping sum of N2,469,030,738.90 by falsely pretending that the said sum represented ‘Cost of Technical Supervision’ and ‘Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,’ which representation you knew to be false.”

The offence violates Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and is punishable under Section 1(3).

In count two, the federal government alleged that on January 13, 2014, the defendants “obtained the sum of N839,780,738.90 by falsely pretending that the said sum represented ‘Cost of Technical Supervision’.”

Count three alleged that on February 12, 2014, the defendants obtained N1,629,250,000 from the ministry through Global Offshore Marine Ltd, claiming it was for “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,” a representation the prosecution said, was knowingly false.

In counts four and five of the charge, the federal government accused Oduah, as minister at the time, of dishonestly misappropriating the same sums earmarked for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd.

The charge states that she, “dishonestly misappropriated the sum by authorizing the transfer of the said sum, which act is a breach of your official trust,” contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code.

Oduah and her co-defendants pleaded not guilty to five-count charge when they were read out to them in the open court.

The defendants lawyers, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN for Oduah and Wale Balogun, SAN for Odita, subsequently moved applications for their bail.

Arguing the bail application on behalf of his client, Ikpeazu urged the court to grant her 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).

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN who appeared personally for the prosecution, said the federal government was not opposed to the bail application of the defendants.

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

Consequently, Justice Muazu granted Oduah bail on self-recognition and ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court.

Justice Muazu then adjourned the matter till February 12 and 13, 2026, for commencement of trial.

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