By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and her former aide, Gloria Odita, in the ₦2.4 billion fraud case brought against them by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Justice Hamza Mu’azu ordered their discharge on Tuesday after the prosecution informed the court that it had discontinued the case against the individuals following a plea bargain agreement reached by the parties.
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The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, however, retained two companies linked to Oduah Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited as defendants in an amended two-count charge.
Conviction and Forfeiture In the amended charge, Sobora International Limited was accused of being unlawfully in possession of ₦838 million, while Global Offshore and Marine Limited allegedly possessed ₦1.629 billion.
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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 (contained in a bank draft) and ₦780 million recovered during the investigation.
Counsel for the defendants, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Wale Balogun, did not oppose the application.
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In his ruling, Justice Mu’azu convicted the two companies based on their guilty plea and ordered that they be wound up. He further directed that the ₦1.2 billion restitution and the ₦780 million recovered during the investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The judge also struck out the earlier charge dated October 13, 2025, which included Oduah and Odita as defendants, effectively discharging both of them from the case.
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Oduah and Odita were arraigned in December 2025 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 fraudulent claims.
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The offences were said to contravene Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and punishable under Section 1(3).
The defendants had initially pleaded not guilty before the plea bargain was reached.
This outcome brings to a close the long-running case against the former minister, while the convicted companies face dissolution and forfeiture of assets to the Federal Government.
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By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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