Oduah and co-defendant move to settle charges, agree to refund part of disputed funds.
Former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah and another defendant, charged with alleged N2.4 billion fraud, have entered a plea bargain deal in an Abuja High Court.
The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the defendants approached the Attorney-General for the arrangement and had agreed to refund part of the money to government coffers. Confirmation of the bank draft is pending.
Oduah’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, and the co-defendant’s lawyer, Favour Osuanya, confirmed the plea deal. Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case to March 26 for a report on the agreement.
The ex-minister and co-defendant were originally arraigned in December 2025 on five-count charges including fraud, obtaining by false pretense, and criminal breach of trust. They allegedly conspired to obtain N2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation via Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd.
The plea deal follows provisions under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, allowing settlement before trial.
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