EFCC transfers Stella Odua’s ‘N5bn fraud’ trial to AGF

EFCC transfers Stella Odua’s ‘N5bn fraud’ trial to AGF

The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has taken up the prosecution of Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation, in the “N5 billion fraud” trial.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, David Kaswe, principal state counsel from the AGF’s office, informed the court that a letter had been submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) demanding the defendants’ case file.

Other defendants in the suit are Gloria Odita; Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi; Chukwuma Irene Chinyere; Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd; Crystal Television Ltd; Sobora International Ltd and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd.

But Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, said the letter to the EFCC was unnecessary since the taking over the matter by the office of the AGF complies with an order issued by the court.

The judge said the EFCC was bound to obey the order.

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Kaswe told the judge that his office took into cognisance the fact that the EFCC had just had a change of leadership.

Consequently, the matter was adjourned until March 28, 2024.

The EFCC had filed a charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020 in 2020, alleging that Oduah misappropriated public funds estimated at N5 billion while serving as minister.

While the case has come up for arraignment many times between 2021 and 2023, it was stalled for several reasons. Eventually, the defendants were arraigned on July 21.

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 25-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, money laundering, and maintaining anonymous accounts with First Bank Plc, and were granted bail.

Ekwo had also directed the AGF to take over the prosecution of the case.

EFCC transfers Stella Odua’s ‘N5bn fraud’ trial to AGF

(TheCable)