Court Clears Stella Oduah in ₦2.5bn Fraud Case After Plea Bargain

A former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, has been discharged by the Federal Capital Territory High Court over an alleged ₦2.5 billion fraud case following a plea bargain agreement.

Justice Hamza Muazu ordered her discharge alongside a former aide, Gloria Odita, after the prosecution formally withdrew charges against them.

The case, however, continues against two companies linked to the former minister — Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited — which were retained as defendants in an amended charge.

Counsel to the Federal Government, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the prosecution reviewed the case based on the plea bargain and proceeded against the companies accused of benefiting from the alleged fraud.

According to the amended two count charge, Sobora International Limited was alleged to have unlawfully possessed ₦838 million, while Global Offshore and Marine Limited was accused of holding ₦1.629 billion.

Following a guilty plea entered on behalf of the companies, the prosecution urged the court to convict them and order their winding up.

The court subsequently convicted both companies and directed that they be wound up.

Justice Muazu also ordered the forfeiture of ₦1.2 billion paid as restitution, alongside ₦780 million recovered during the investigation, to the Federal Government.

Defence counsel, including Onyechi Ikpeazu and Wale Balogun, did not oppose the prosecution’s application.

The judge further struck out the earlier charge filed on October 13, 2025, effectively bringing an end to the case against Oduah and Odita.

Oduah and her aide were initially arraigned in December 2025 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 had alleged that the defendants conspired in January 2014 to obtain about ₦2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through private firms under false claims, contrary to provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud Act.

With the latest ruling, the high profile case concludes for the former minister, while enforcement actions now focus on the convicted companies.