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Stella Oduah
A former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and a co-defendant have opted for a plea bargain arrangement in the alleged ₦2.5 billion fraud case against them before federal high High Court, Abuja.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) who led the prosecution team, informed the court on Thursday that the defendants had approached the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to negotiate a plea deal.
Oyedepo told the court that the defendants had already begun the process of refunding part of the alleged proceeds to the Federal Government.
“They have made moves to refund certain amount of money into the government coffers. What is left is the confirmation of receipt of the bank draft by the government,” he said.
Counsel to Oduah, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, confirmed the development, while Favour Osuanya, counsel for the second defendant, also affirmed that discussions for a plea bargain were ongoing.
Following the submissions, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter until March 26 to receive a report on the plea bargain agreement.Earlier proceedings on February 12, Oyedepo had inform the court that the application for plea bargain was made pursuant to Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
He also noted that discussions between the parties were ongoing and requested a definite date either for a report on the negotiations or for trial to commence.
Oduah was arraigned in December 2025 alongside Gloria Odita by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on a five-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to obtain about ₦2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd under what it described as fraudulent claims.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
Both defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were arraigned. (The Guardian)
