The Federal Government on Wednesday brought former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, before an FCT High Court to answer to N5 billion corruption charges, marking a dramatic turn in a case long trailed by controversy.
Oduah, once a powerful figure in Nigeria’s aviation sector, was arraigned by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on five counts bordering on advance fee fraud and conspiracy.
According to the charges, Oduah allegedly obtained N2.4 billion through Broad Waters Resources from the Ministry of Aviation under the false claim that the funds were for “technical supervision”—an offence prosecutors said occurred in January 2014.
She was also accused of fraudulently securing an additional N1.6 billion and N839 million in separate transactions, acts said to contravene Section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act.
Standing in the dock with a co-defendant, Oduah pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for what may become one of the most closely watched corruption trials in recent years.
In a measured ruling, Justice Hamza Muazu granted her bail on self-recognisance but imposed strict conditions: she must deposit her passport with the court and cannot travel out of Nigeria without express permission.
Renowned defence lawyer ,Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) appeared for the former minister, signalling a high-stakes legal battle ahead.
