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Court Clears Ex-Aviation Minister Stella Oduah in N2.5bn Fraud Case

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 27th, 2026.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja, has discharged former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and her former aide, Gloria Odita, in a high-profile fraud case involving nearly N2.5 billion.

The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Justice Hamza Muazu, brings an end to the criminal proceedings initiated against the duo by the Federal Government through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF).

Oduah, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan between 2012 and 2014, was arraigned alongside Odita on December 10, 2025, on a five-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, and breach of trust.

According to Premium Times, the charges stemmed from claims that the defendants fraudulently secured funds from the Federal Ministry of Aviation in January 2014 through two private firms which includes Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd under the guise of service-related payments.

The prosecution had alleged that the sum of N2.47 billion was obtained for purported “technical supervision” and “security and logistics support services,” representations it claimed were knowingly false. One of the counts specifically accused the defendants of obtaining over N839 million under misleading claims tied to supervisory costs.

Despite the allegations, both Oduah and Odita pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in court.

As reported by TheCable, proceedings took a turn in February when the prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the Attorney-General, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had received a formal request from the defence seeking discussions under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

The request prompted an adjournment to allow for possible resolution talks, a move that legal analysts say often opens the door for negotiated settlements or case review.

While details surrounding the court’s decision to discharge the defendants were not fully outlined at the time of reporting, Channels Television noted that the ruling effectively brings the case to a close, clearing both women of the charges brought against them.

The development has since sparked conversations across legal and political circles, with observers closely watching its implications for ongoing anti-corruption efforts and high-level prosecutions in the country.