The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned a former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja, over alleged corruption involving N5bn.
Oduah was arraigned by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, on five counts bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences.
In a court session attended by our correspondent, the prosecution alleged that the former minister fraudulently obtained N2.4bn through a company, Broad Waters Resources, from the Federal Ministry of Aviation under the pretext that the funds were meant for technical supervision.
The alleged offence was said to have been committed in January 2014.
In other counts, Oduah was accused of obtaining N1.6bn and another N839m using similar methods, contrary to the provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.
She was arraigned alongside a co defendant, Gloria Odita. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Oduah was represented by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), while Wale Balogun (SAN) appeared for Odita.
Justice Hamza Muazu granted Oduah bail on self recognition but ordered her to deposit her international passport with the court. The judge also directed that she must not travel outside the country without the permission of the court.
This is the second time the Federal Government is prosecuting Oduah over the matter. An earlier case filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was withdrawn.
