N2.4bn Fraud Charge: Stella Oduah Seeks Plea Bargain Talks with AGF
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama was informed on Thursday that former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, has approached the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for discussions on a possible plea bargain over the criminal charges pending against her.
Oduah and her former aide, Gloria Odita, were arraigned on December 10, 2025, on a five-count charge bordering on the alleged misappropriation of about N2.4 billion in public funds.
The charge, marked CR/606/2025, was filed on October 14 by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. The alleged offences were said to have occurred between January and February 2014 while Oduah was serving as Minister of Aviation.
Prosecution Confirms Application
When the matter came up for trial, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), informed the court that although proceedings were scheduled to commence, the prosecution received an application from Oduah seeking discussions under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
Oyedepo subsequently applied for an adjournment to enable parties explore the possibility of a plea bargain and report back to the court.
Counsel to Oduah and Odita — Tobechukwu Michael (SAN) and Wale Balogun (SAN) — confirmed the position stated by the prosecution.
Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case until March 5 for an update on negotiations or, alternatively, the commencement of full trial.
Allegations Against the Defendants
According to the charge, Oduah and Odita allegedly conspired in January 2014 to fraudulently obtain N2,459,030,733.50 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through two companies — Broad Waters Resource Nigeria Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited.
The prosecution alleged that the funds were obtained under the false pretence of representing costs for “technical supervision” and “security integrated and logistic support services.”
Specifically, the defendants were accused of:
Obtaining N839,780,738.90 on January 13, 2014, through Broad Waters Resource Nigeria Limited.
Obtaining N1,629,250,000 on February 12, 2014, through Global Offshore Marine Limited.
The charges were brought under Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
They are also accused of criminal breach of trust under Sections 311 and 315 of the Penal Code for allegedly authorising transfers of the funds while exercising official control over contracts awarded to I-SEC Security Nigeria Ltd.
Both defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case now hinges on whether plea negotiations will succeed or the court will proceed to a full trial. Read More
