- The decision followed a plea bargain agreement reached between the parties
- Government counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, explained that after reviewing the matter in line with the agreement
- Under the revised charges, Sobora International Limited was accused of unlawfully holding ₦838 million
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has cleared former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, of allegations involving ₦2.5 billion in fraud.
The trial judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, also discharged Gloria Odita, who previously served as Oduah’s aide, after the prosecution formally withdrew the case, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
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The decision followed a plea bargain agreement reached between the parties.
Despite dropping charges against the two individuals, the prosecution maintained its case against two firms associated with Oduah, Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited, by filing an amended charge.
Government counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, explained that after reviewing the matter in line with the agreement, the focus shifted to the companies, which were alleged to have received proceeds linked to the fraud.
Under the revised charges, Sobora International Limited was accused of unlawfully holding ₦838 million, while Global Offshore and Marine Limited allegedly possessed ₦1.629 billion.
After guilty pleas were entered on behalf of both companies, the prosecution asked the court to convict them, order their liquidation, and approve the forfeiture of funds recovered during the investigation.
These included ₦1.2 billion returned as restitution and an additional ₦780 million traced to the case.
Lawyers representing the defendants did not contest the request.
In his judgment, Justice Muazu found the companies guilty and ordered that they be wound up. He also ruled that the recovered sums be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
Additionally, the court struck out the earlier charge filed in October 2025, which had included Oduah and Odita as defendants, thereby formally clearing them of all allegations.
The former minister and her aide had been brought before the court in December 2025 by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on a five-count charge involving alleged fraud, obtaining money under false pretence, and breach of trust.
Prosecutors had earlier claimed that in January 2014, the accused persons conspired to secure about ₦2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through companies including Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited using deceptive claims.
Both defendants had initially denied the charges before later entering into the plea agreement that led to the resolution of the case.
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