Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah
A former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, has been discharged by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja over an alleged ₦2.5 billion fraud case following a plea bargain agreement.
Justice Hamza Muazu discharged Oduah alongside her former aide, Gloria Odita, after the prosecution formally withdrew charges against them.
The court’s decision followed an application by the Federal Government indicating that the case had been reviewed in line with a plea bargain reached between the parties.
However, two companies linked to the former minister — Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited — remained defendants in an amended charge filed before the court.
Companies Plead Guilty
Counsel to the Federal Government, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the prosecution decided to proceed against the companies, which were alleged to have benefited from the fraudulent transaction.
In the amended two-count charge, Sobora International Limited was accused of unlawfully possessing ₦838 million, while Global Offshore and Marine Limited was alleged to have held ₦1.629 billion linked to the fraud.
Following a guilty plea entered on behalf of the companies, Oyedepo urged the court to convict them and order their winding up.
He also requested the forfeiture of ₦1.2 billion paid as restitution through a bank draft submitted before the court, in addition to ₦780 million recovered during the investigation.
Defence Raises No Objection
Counsel for the defendants, Onyechi Ikpeazu and Wale Balogun, did not oppose the prosecution’s request.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Muazu convicted both companies based on their guilty plea and ordered that they be wound up.
The judge also directed that the ₦1.2 billion restitution and the ₦780 million recovered during the investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Muazu subsequently struck out the earlier charge dated October 13, 2025, which listed Oduah and Odita as defendants, thereby formally discharging both from the case.
Background to the Case
Oduah and Odita were arraigned in December 2025 by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on a five-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.
The prosecution had alleged that the defendants conspired in January 2014 to obtain ₦2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited under allegedly fraudulent claims.
The alleged offences were said to contravene Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and are punishable under Section 1(3).
Both defendants had initially pleaded not guilty before entering into the plea bargain agreement that led to their discharge.
