The Federal Government has arraigned former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, and her co-defendant, Gloria Odita, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
They face multiple charges of fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust, involving a total sum of N2,469,030,738.90.
According to the charge sheet presented before Justice Hamza Muazu, the defendants allegedly conspired in January 2014 to obtain the funds from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through two companies: Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd.
The prosecution alleges the money was obtained by falsely claiming it was for “Cost of Technical Supervision” and “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,” representations they knew to be false.
In specific counts, the government alleges that on January 13, 2014, the defendants obtained N839,780,738.90 under the pretence of “Cost of Technical Supervision.”
On February 12, 2014, they are accused of obtaining another N1,629,250,000 for “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services.” Additional counts charge Oduah, as the minister at the time, with dishonestly misappropriating the same sums by authorising their transfer, an act described as a breach of official trust.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. Their lawyers, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for Oduah and Wale Balogun (SAN) for Odita, applied for bail. Ikpeazu noted his client’s former ministerial position and her voluntary return from the United States to attend court.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who appeared for the prosecution, did not oppose bail but requested a firm trial date.
Justice Muazu granted Oduah bail on self-recognition and ordered both defendants to deposit their passports with the court. The trial has been adjourned to February 12 and 13, 2026.
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