Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah
Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, was on Wednesday brought before an Abuja Federal Capital Territory High Court by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to answer to N2.5 billion fraud charges linked to her time in office.
Oduah, who served from July 2011 until February 2014, was arraigned alongside her longtime associate Gloria Odita. The pair already face a separate N5 billion money laundering trial before another court.
According to the fresh five-count charge, the defendants allegedly obtained N2.5 billion, disguised as payments for technical supervision and security logistics in January 2014—just weeks before Oduah exited office following a procurement scandal.
One of the counts accused them of receiving “the whopping sum N2,469,030,738.9” through Broad Waters Resource Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd “by false pretence”, an act the AGF said violated the Advance Fee Fraud Act of 2006.
Both women pleaded not guilty.
*Bail granted on self-recognition*
After the charges were read, Oduah’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), argued for bail, stressing that the former minister is “a well-known figure.”
Counsel to the second defendant, Wale Balogun (SAN), also urged the court to extend the same consideration to his client.
The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who personally led the prosecution, did not oppose bail but insisted the defendants must surrender their travel documents. He also pressed for a firm trial date.
Presiding judge Justice Hamza Muazu granted both defendants bail on self-recognition and ordered them to deposit their passports with the court.
When Oduah’s lawyer later requested the release of her travel documents, the judge said such a request would only be considered upon a formal application “to the satisfaction of the court.”
The matter was adjourned to February 12 and 13, 2026 for the start of trial.
*Oduah Still battling another N5bn money laundering case*
Beyond Wednesday’s arraignment, Oduah is also standing trial in a separate 25-count, N5 billion money laundering case involving her co-defendant Odita and construction giant CCECC.
The case—filed by the EFCC in 2020—alleges that the defendants laundered over N5.05 billion between February and June 2014. They are accused of conspiracy, receiving proceeds of unlawful activity and operating anonymous bank accounts.
In two counts, Oduah and Odita allegedly opened unnamed “Private Banking Nominee” accounts in both naira and dollar denominations—an offence under the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.
Court filings according to PREMIUM TIMES report, show that CCECC allegedly transferred over N2.5 billion into one of these nominee accounts between March and June 2014.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the defendants have denied all charges.
