The federal government on Wednesday arraigned former aviation minister Stella Oduah before the Abuja High Court for N2.4 billion fraud.

She is arraigned alongside Gloria Odita on a five-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired in January 2014 to obtain N2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd under alleged fraudulent claims.

The prosecution further alleged that Mses Oduah and Odita agreed amongst themselves to obtain the sum of ₦2,469,030,738.90 by false pretence, pretending that the said sum represented “cost of technical supervision” and “security integrated and logistics support services”.

The government alleged that on January 13, 2014, the defendants obtained ₦839,780,738.90 “by falsely pretending that the said sum represented ‘Cost of Technical Supervision’”.

In count three, the government alleged that on February 12, 2014, the defendants obtained ₦1,629,250,000 from the ministry through Global Offshore Marine Ltd, claiming it was for “security integrated and logistics support services”, a representation the prosecution says was false.

In counts four and five, the government accused Ms Oduah, as minister at the time, of dishonestly misappropriating the same sums earmarked for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd.

The charge states that she “dishonestly misappropriated the sum by authorising the transfer of the said sum, which act is a breach of your official trust,” contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The defendants’ lawyers, Onyechi Ikpeazu for Ms Oduah and Wale Balogun SAN for Ms Odita, subsequently moved their bail applications. Mr Ikpeazu urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition, noting that the first defendant has been a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He added that she voluntarily flew in from the United States to honour a court summons and has been on administrative bail by the EFCC.

The attorney general of the federation, Lateef Fagbemi, appeared for the prosecution. Mr Fagbemi said the government was not opposed to bail. However, he insisted that the court should give a firm date for the hearing. He added that the defendants were served with the proof of evidence as far back as November 27 and were fully aware of the steps they ought to have taken.

Mr Balogun, counsel to Ms Odita, however, made a plea for her travel documents.

Justice Hamza Muazu noted that the court would be willing to consider “if you make a case for permission to travel, when you are able to satisfy the court”. Mr Muazu then admitted Mses Oduah and Odita to bail on self-recognisance.

He ordered the defendants to deposit travel documents and get the court’s permission before travelling. Mr Mauzu adjourned the matter until February 12 for commencement.

(NAN)