From Victor Osula, Abuja
Former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, and her co-defendant, Gloria Odita, were on Wednesday arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over allegations of fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.
According to the charge filed by the Federal Government through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the defendants allegedly conspired in January 2014 to fraudulently obtain a total of ₦2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read before Justice Hamza Muazu.
Their counsels, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, representing Oduah, and Wale Balogun for Odita, subsequently applied for bail.
The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who personally appeared for the prosecution, did not oppose the applications.
Justice Muazu granted bail to Oduah on self-recognition and ordered both defendants to deposit their international passports with the court.
The case was adjourned to February 12 and 13, 2026, for trial.
