By Muhammad Mamman
A former aviation minister, Stella Oduah, has been arraigned by the Attorney‑General of the Federation (AGF) before a Federal High Court in Abuja, accused of orchestrating a ₦2.5 billion fraud.
According to the prosecution, Oduah and a co-accused allegedly conspired in 2014 to secure ₦2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation under false pretences — claiming the funds were meant for “technical supervision” and “security and logistics support services.”
The sum was said to have been funneled through companies including Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd. The charges brought against them include obtaining by false pretense and criminal breach of trust, offences the court says violate the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act and related penal provisions.
During the initial hearing, Oduah and her co-accused pleaded not guilty. Their legal team applied for bail, which was granted on self-recognition, with the court ordering that travel documents be deposited and permission sought before any overseas travel.
The matter has been adjourned — the court is yet to set a date for substantive hearing of the charges.
