Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah, a former minister of aviation, will now be charged with money laundering for allegedly stealing N7.9 billion, according to a directive from Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami.
The directive issued in a letter to the Federal High Court has thus put an end to the arraignment’s six consecutive adjournments.
Oduah and the other defendants in the alleged fraud trial were supposed to be docketed since last year, but this has been delayed six times as a result of the AGF’s request to have time to review the case file and offer legal counsel.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, however, presented a letter from Malami to the court on Wednesday during the proceedings, requesting that the Senator be formally docked for the alleged offences.
Mrs Odua, who was present in court along with her other eight co-defendants,
was given February 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, 2023, for arraignment and full scale accelerated trial.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo fixed the date following confirmation by parties that Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, actually issued the letter and copied them as required by law.
The EFCC, in the charges, alleged that Mrs Oduah misappropriated the N7.9 billion public funds while serving as a Minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime.
Other defendants are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore, and Marine Limited, Tip Top Global Resources Limited, Crystal Television Limited and Sobora International Limited.
They are charged with conspiracy and money laundering, as well as maintaining anonymous bank accounts.