By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and her co-defendant have entered into plea bargain negotiations with the federal government in connection with an alleged N2.4 billion fraud, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja heard on Thursday.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Rotimi Oyedepo, who is leading the prosecution team, informed the court that the defendants had initiated the process by approaching the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
“They have moved to refund a substantial amount into the government’s coffers. What remains is for the government to confirm the receipt of the bank draft,” Mr. Oyedepo explained during the proceedings.
Onyechi Ikpeazu, San, counsel for Ms. Oduah, and Favour Osuanya, counsel for the second defendant, both confirmed their clients’ involvement in the plea bargain discussions.
Following the submissions, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter until March 26 to receive a formal report on the status of the agreement.
The development follows an earlier mention on February 12, when Mr. Oyedepo had first alerted the court to the ongoing discussions, citing Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which provides the legal framework for plea bargains. At the time, he requested a definite date for an update, as talks were still in progress.
Ms. Oduah was initially arraigned in December 2025 alongside Gloria Odita by the Office of the AGF on a five-count charge. The charges include fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants conspired to illegally obtain N2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation. The funds were purportedly siphoned through two companies, Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd, under the guise of providing local products and services to the ministry.
The prosecution contends that the alleged actions violate the Advance Fee Fraud Act. Both defendants have previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.
