Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has discharged former aviation minister Stella Oduah and her former aide, Gloria Odita, from a ₦2.5 billion fraud case.
The discharge followed the prosecution’s decision to discontinue the case based on a plea bargain agreement reached with the defendants. However, two companies linked to Oduah — Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited — remain defendants in an amended charge.
The Federal Government’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, explained that the amended two-count charge targets the companies, which allegedly benefited from the alleged fraud. Sobora International Limited was accused of unlawfully possessing ₦838 million, while Global Offshore and Marine Limited reportedly held ₦1.629 billion.
Following a guilty plea entered on behalf of the companies, Oyedepo requested that the court convict and wind up both entities. He also sought the forfeiture of ₦1.2 billion submitted as restitution and ₦780 million recovered during the investigation. Counsel for the companies, Onyechi Ikpeazu and Wale Balogun, did not oppose the application.
In his ruling, Justice Muazu convicted the companies, ordered them to be wound up, and directed that the restitution and recovered funds be forfeited to the Federal Government. The judge also struck out the earlier charge dated October 13, 2025, effectively clearing Oduah and Odita of all allegations.
Oduah and Odita had been arraigned in December 2025 on a five-count charge related to alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust. The prosecution claimed the defendants conspired in January 2014 to obtain ₦2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited under fraudulent pretences. The offences were said to contravene Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act.
The defendants initially pleaded not guilty before the plea bargain agreement led to their discharge.
