EX-AVIATION MINISTER STELLA ODUAH ARRAIGNED OVER ALLEGED ₦2.4BN FRAUD – PLEADS NOT GUILTY, GRANTED BAIL

By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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Former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, and her co-defendant Gloria Odita were arraigned Wednesday before Justice Hamza Mu’azu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, on a five-count charge bordering on fraud, obtaining by false pretense, and criminal breach of trust involving ₦2.469 billion.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through the Attorney-General of the Federation’s office, alleged the duo conspired to defraud the Federal Ministry of Aviation by misappropriating funds meant for contracts awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd. Both defendants, who appeared in court voluntarily Oduah flying in from the United States pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The prosecution, led by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), detailed how Oduah and Odita allegedly obtained ₦2,469,030,738.90 by false pretense, claiming it covered “Cost of Technical Supervision” and “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services” for a contract, knowing the representations were untrue. In counts four and five, Oduah was accused of dishonestly authorizing the transfers as minister.

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The offences, filed October 14, 2025, contravene Sections 8(a), 1(1)(a), and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 311 of the Penal Code.
Oduah, represented by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and Odita, by Wale Balogun (SAN), applied for bail on self-recognisance. Ikpeazu highlighted Oduah’s status as a former minister and her compliance with EFCC administrative bail. Balogun sought Odita’s travel documents, held in a related ₦5 billion money laundering case at the Federal High Court.

Justice Mu’azu granted bail without opposition from the prosecution, but deferred travel document release pending justification. The case was adjourned to February 12 and 13, 2026, for trial.

This marks Oduah’s second major arraignment in months. In October 2025, she faced a separate ₦5 billion money laundering charge alongside Odita at the Federal High Court, involving anonymous “Private Banking Nominee” accounts at First Bank where CCECC Nigeria Ltd allegedly transferred funds. Oduah, a PDP chieftain and Anambra North Senator (2015-2019), has denied all allegations, calling them “politically motivated.”

EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale affirmed the probe’s integrity: “No one is above the law.” Oduah’s team vowed a robust defence, with Ikpeazu stating: “My client is innocent and ready to clear her name.”

As anti-corruption drives intensify under AGF Lateef Fagbemi, Oduah’s case spotlights accountability for public officials.
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