Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation, has commenced the process of refunding a portion of the N2.4 billion allegedly linked to the fraud charges filed against her.
Rotimi Oyedepo, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), disclosed this development on Thursday during a resumed court session before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Oduah, who served as aviation minister from July 2011 to February 2014, was arraigned on December 10 alongside Gloria Odita on a five-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust. Both defendants had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Oyedepo informed the court that the defendants had initiated steps to return some of the funds to the government. “The defendants have made a move to refund a certain amount of the money into the government coffers,” he stated.
He added that the federal government was awaiting confirmation that the bank draft had been received but did not specify the exact amount involved in the refund.
Onyechi Ikpeazu, counsel to Oduah, and Favour Osunaya, counsel to Odita, acknowledged the development but declined to disclose further details regarding the repayment.
Following the submissions, Hamza Muazu, the presiding judge, adjourned the matter until March 26 to receive a progress report on the discussions.
This development comes weeks after both the prosecution and defence informed the court that the defendants had applied for a plea bargain with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). Oyedepo had earlier explained that Oduah filed the application under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which allows for plea bargaining in criminal cases.
According to him, although the case was scheduled for trial, the AGF received a request from the first defendant seeking negotiations towards resolving the matter.
Under the ACJA, plea bargaining allows a defendant to negotiate with the prosecution, often agreeing to plead guilty to reduced charges or fewer counts in exchange for concessions such as a lighter sentence. The law also permits negotiations where a defendant agrees to return the proceeds of a crime or make restitution.
Discussion about this post