Former Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah appeared before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, facing multiple charges of fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust involving N2.469 billion. The Federal Government brought the case alongside her co-defendant Gloria Odita, marking a significant step in a long-running investigation into alleged financial misconduct during Oduah’s tenure.
The charges stem from transactions in January and February 2014, when Oduah served as minister under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Prosecutors allege that the defendants conspired to siphon funds from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through two companies, Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited.
In the first count, the pair is accused of obtaining N2,469,030,738.90 by falsely claiming the money covered “Cost of Technical Supervision” and “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,” a representation the government says was knowingly false. This act violates Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and carries a penalty under Section 1(3). Count Two details an alleged transfer of N839,780,738.90 on January 13, 2014, again under the guise of technical supervision costs. Count Three points to N1,629,250,000 obtained on February 12, 2014, through Global Offshore Marine Limited for purported security services.
Counts Four and Five charge Oduah specifically with dishonestly misappropriating these sums by authorising transfers for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Limited, breaching her official trust in violation of Section 311 and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code.
Presiding Justice Hamza Muazu read the charges to the defendants, who both entered not guilty pleas. Defence counsel Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), representing Oduah, moved for bail on self-recognition, highlighting her status as a former minister and her voluntary return from the United States to face the court. He noted she had been on administrative bail with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since the investigation began. Wale Balogun (SAN), counsel for Odita, filed a similar application.
Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), appearing personally for the prosecution, raised no objection to bail but urged the court to set a firm trial date. He confirmed the defendants were served on November 27, 2025. Justice Muazu granted Oduah bail on self-recognition and ordered both defendants to deposit their international passports with the court registry.
The case was adjourned to February 12 and 13, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
This latest arraignment adds to a series of legal challenges for Oduah, stemming from years of investigations into her time in office. In 2021, the EFCC first charged her and others over an alleged N7.9 billion fraud involving the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). That separate case has seen multiple adjournments, with the latest shift to November 14, 2025. She has also faced another set of charges related to an alleged N5 billion fraud, where she similarly pleaded not guilty. The current N2.4 billion case focuses specifically on ministry funds and contract irregularities, distinct from the earlier agency-related allegations.
Oduah, a former senator representing Anambra North from 2015 to 2023, has consistently denied wrongdoing in all related cases. The allegations first surfaced in 2013 amid intense scrutiny over aviation sector contracts, most notably the controversial purchase of two bulletproof BMW vehicles for N255 million, which prompted a House of Representatives investigation at the time.