The Federal Government has formally initiated criminal proceedings against former Aviation Minister and ex, Senator, Stella Oduah. The Ex-Minister of Aviation Arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja, alongside eight other defendants, faces severe charges of conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud amounting to approximately ₦2.4 billion or ₦5 billion, depending on varying reports, underscoring the gravity and complexity of the alleged financial crimes.
The charges were brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following a protracted investigation into financial activities carried out during her tenure as a cabinet minister. The EFCC alleges that Stella Oduah, while serving as the Minister of Aviation, connived with her co, defendants to siphon and launder public funds intended for critical aviation sector projects.
The matter, presided over by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, saw the defendants presented on multiple counts of fraud and money laundering. Though specific details of the charges were not immediately released during the court session, the central focus of the prosecution’s case revolves around the alleged diversion of substantial public funds through questionable contracts and complex financial instruments.
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Co,Defendants and Plea
Stella Oduah, who until recently served as a senator representing Anambra North, was arraigned alongside several individuals and companies believed to have facilitated the transactions. The arraignment marked a significant step in the case, which had faced delays primarily due to legal technicalities and the former Minister’s own legal challenges to the prosecution.
Upon the reading of the charges, all defendants, including the principal figure, Stella Oduah, entered a plea of not guilty. Following the pleas, the defense counsel applied for bail, arguing that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and that they pose no flight risk. The court, having heard arguments from both the defense and the prosecution, is expected to rule on the bail application and set a date for the commencement of the trial proper.
The arraignment of the former high, ranking government official signifies the government’s renewed commitment to tackling high, profile corruption cases, positioning the trial as a major test case in Nigeria’s ongoing anti, graft war.
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