Former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah Pursues Plea Bargain Agreement in Multi-Billion Naira Fraud Case
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has been informed that former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, has formally submitted a plea bargain-related application concerning the substantial N2.5 billion fraud allegations leveled against her. This significant development emerged during court proceedings on Thursday, February 12, where prosecution authorities disclosed the receipt of this legal maneuver.
Prosecution Confirms Application Under Nigerian Criminal Justice Framework
Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, addressed the court, revealing that the Attorney-General of the Federation received the application in strict accordance with Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. "The matter is slated for commencement of trial, but as the prosecution was preparing for the trial, the AGF received an application from the first defendant for discussion. This is in line with the provisions of Section 270 of the ACJA 2015," Oyedepo stated clearly before Justice Hamza Muazu.
While the specific contents of Oduah's application remained confidential within the courtroom setting, Section 270 of the ACJA specifically governs plea bargaining procedures in federal criminal proceedings. This legal provision meticulously outlines the precise conditions under which such negotiations may be properly undertaken between prosecution and defense teams.
Court Proceedings and Legal Representation
Oduah appeared in court alongside her co-defendant Gloria Odita, with both legal teams present and actively participating in the proceedings. Oduah's legal counsel, Tobechukwu Michael, officially confirmed the submission of the plea bargain application, while Wale Balogun, representing co-defendant Odita, similarly acknowledged this procedural development.
Prosecutor Oyedepo informed the court that discussions regarding the plea bargain proposal are currently ongoing between relevant parties. He formally requested a future court date either for providing a progress report on these negotiations or for commencing the trial proper should discussions prove unsuccessful. Justice Hamza Muazu subsequently adjourned the high-profile case until March 5 for further developments.
Understanding Plea Bargaining Under Nigerian Law
Plea bargaining represents a negotiated legal agreement wherein a defendant typically pleads guilty, often to reduced charges or fewer counts, in exchange for prosecutorial concessions such as lighter sentencing or withdrawal of certain allegations. Section 270 of the ACJA explicitly empowers prosecution authorities to receive or offer plea bargain arrangements either directly from defendants or through their legal representatives.
The legislation establishes specific conditions designed to prevent potential abuse of this legal process:
- When prosecution evidence appears insufficient to prove the offense beyond reasonable doubt
- When defendants agree to return proceeds of crime or make appropriate restitution
- When defendants in conspiracy cases cooperate meaningfully with investigators and prosecutors
- When the process serves the interest of justice, public interest, and public policy
- When victims or their representatives are appropriately involved in certain circumstances
Background of the N2.5 Billion Fraud Allegations
On December 10, 2025, the Attorney-General of the Federation formally arraigned Oduah and Odita before the FCT High Court on five distinct counts involving alleged fraud totaling N2.5 billion. Prosecution authorities specifically alleged that in January 2014, the defendants fraudulently obtained N2,469,030,738.9 from the Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resource Nigeria Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited by means of false pretenses.
The substantial funds were allegedly represented as payment for "technical supervision and security integrated and logistics support services," which prosecution maintains the defendants knew to be fundamentally false. These charges were formally filed under Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, carrying potential punishment under Section 1(3) of the same legislation. Both defendants entered not guilty pleas during their initial arraignment.
Separate N5 Billion Money Laundering Trial
Oduah simultaneously faces a distinct N5 billion money laundering trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja, alongside co-defendant Odita, Chinese construction giant CCECC Nigeria Limited, and several other defendants including Nwosu Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd, and Sobora International Ltd.
The comprehensive 25-count charge in this separate case, originally filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on December 17, 2020, centers on allegations that approximately N5,052,415,984 was laundered between February and June 2014. Specific counts include:
- Conspiracy to commit money laundering
- Transferring and taking possession of proceeds of fraud
- Aiding and abetting money laundering activities
- Opening anonymous bank accounts for illicit purposes
Prosecution alleges that CCECC Nigeria Limited transferred over N2.5 billion into a "Private Banking Nominee" account between March 31 and June 6, 2014—funds the company reasonably ought to have known constituted proceeds of unlawful activity. All defendants have consistently denied these allegations. This separate trial has experienced limited progress since arraignment in July 2023, encountering multiple delays and procedural setbacks that have slowed judicial proceedings.
