Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Federal government has arraigned a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah and her ex- aide, Gloria Odita, on a five- count charge bordering on Advance Fee Fraud and conspiracy to the tune of N5 billion.
Oduah served as a Minister of Aviation from July 2, 2011 to February 12, 2014 and as a Senator from Anambra North Senatorial District.
She served as a Minister of Aviation under former president Goodluck Jonathan.
The defendants who were arraigned by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
They were granted bail on self recognizance by Justice Hamza Mu’azu, after their bail applications were moved by their counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN and Wole Balogun (SAN).
Counsel to the defendants informed the court that their clients, who are standing trial in another sister case before the Federal High Court were already on an administrative bail, and have not jumped bail.
Specifically, counsel to Oduah, Ikpeazu informed the court that he filed a motion No: M/15945/2025, and dated December 1, 2025, seeking the bail of the former Minister.
He informed the court that the motion was rooted on nine grounds with 14 paragraphs affidavit deposed by his client.
Ikpeazu ,accordingly, urged the court to grant his client, whom he said, was a former Minister and Senator, bail in self recognizance.
On his part, counsel to Odita, Balogun equally informed the court of filling a similar application for bail to be granted to her on self recognizance.
Responding, the prosecution counsel and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi confirmed receiving the service of the applications and that he was not opposing the bail applications.
“ I confirmed that we have been served with the two bail applications. I want to say that we are not opposing the applications.
“We serve the proof of the charge on the defendants since November 7, 2025. The implication is that the defendants know exactly the allegations against them.
“I therefore humbly submit that while we are not opposing the applications, I submit that the defendants deposit their traveling documents with the court, “ Fagbemi said.
Justice Mu’azu , in his ruling, granted the defendants bail in self recognizance and ordered that their traveling documents be deposited with the court
They were further barred from traveling outside the country without obtaining permission of the court.
Meanwhile, the matter has been adjourned to February 12 and 13, 2026, for trial.
The charges against the defendants reads: That you, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah and Gloria Odita sometimes in January 2014, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, agreed amongst yourselves to commit an unlawful act to wit. Obtaining the whooping sun of N2, 469, 030, 738.9 through Board Waters Resource Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd, by false pretence from the Federal Ministry of Aviation by falsely pretending that the said sum represented “Cost of Technical Supervision and Security Integrated and Logistics Support Service”, which representation you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8 (a) and 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
‘That you, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah and Gloria Odita on the 13th day of January 2014,; in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court by false pretence, and with intent to defraud, obtained through Board Waters Resource Nigeria Ltd’s account No: 2023201064 domiciled with First Bank Plc, the sum of N839.780, 738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation by falsely pretending that the said sum represented “Cost of Technical Supervision and Security Integrated and Logistics Support Service”, which representation you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under the same Act.
“That you, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah and Gloria Odita on the 12th day of February 2014 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, by false pretence, obtained through Global Offshore Marine Limited’s account No: 2022977296 domiciled with First Bank Plc, the sum of N1,629, 250, 000 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation by falsely pretending that the said sum represented “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services” which representation you knew to be false, and you therefore committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under the same Act.
“That you, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah and Gloria Odita on the 12th day of February 2014, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, whilst serving as the Minister of Aviation, Federal Republic of Nigeria and having dominion over the contract awarded to I-SEC Security Nig Ltd, dishonestly misappropriated the sum of N1,629, 250, 000 by authorizing the transfer of the said sum which act is a breach of your official trust contrary to section 311 and punishable under section 315 of the Penal code law. Cap.89 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
‘That you, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah and Gloria Odita on the 13th day of February 2014 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, whilst serving as the Minister of Aviation, Federal Republic of Nigeria and having dominion over the contract awarded to I-SEC Security Nig Ltd, dishonestly misappropriated the sum of N839, 780, 738.90 by authorizing the transfer of the said sum which act is a breach of your official trust contrary to section 311 and punishable under section 315 of the Penal code law. Cap.89 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.”