FORMER Aviation Minister Stella Oduah has indicated readiness to return funds allegedly obtained from the Nigerian government as part of efforts to resolve a N2.5 billion fraud case through a plea bargain arrangement.
The development emerged during proceedings at the Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday, where Oduah and her co-defendant informed the court of their intention to explore a negotiated settlement with the prosecution.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that both defendants had already approached the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to initiate discussions on a plea agreement.
According to Oyedepo, a key component of the proposed settlement involves returning funds believed to have been unlawfully obtained from the government.
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“They have made moves to refund certain amount of money into the government coffers. What is left is the confirmation of receipt of the bank draft by the government,” the prosecutor said.
Counsel to Oduah, Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), confirmed that negotiations between the parties were ongoing, while lawyer to the second defendant, Favour Osuanya, also acknowledged that discussions toward a plea bargain were underway.
Following the submissions from both sides, trial judge Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter until March 26 to allow the parties report on the outcome of the plea negotiations.
Earlier proceedings on February 12 had revealed that the move toward a plea bargain was initiated under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
Mr Oyedepo explained at the time that consultations between the defence and the prosecution were still in progress and requested additional time to either provide an update on the talks or begin trial if negotiations collapsed.
The case stems from allegations that Oduah and another defendant, Gloria Odita, were involved in a multi-billion naira fraud linked to the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Prosecutors allege that in January 2014 the defendants conspired to obtain a total of N2,469,030,738.90 from the ministry through two companies – Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd – using what authorities described as fraudulent representations.
According to the charge, the funds were obtained under the pretext that they were meant for ‘Cost of Technical Supervision’ and ‘Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,’ claims the prosecution argues were knowingly false.
The alleged offences were filed under provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, specifically Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a), which prescribe penalties under Section 1(3).
In one of the counts, prosecutors allege that on January 13, 2014, the defendants obtained N839,780,738.90 from the ministry by falsely claiming it was meant for technical supervision services.
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Another charge states that on February 12, 2014, they secured an additional N1,629,250,000 through Global Offshore Marine Ltd, purportedly for security integration and logistics support services, a claim the government insists was fraudulent.
The federal government further accused Oduah, who served as minister at the time, of dishonestly diverting the funds originally earmarked for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd.
The prosecution alleges that she authorised the transfer of the money in a manner that constituted a breach of official trust, an offence punishable under Sections 311 and 315 of the Penal Code.
Both defendants had earlier denied the allegations and entered not guilty pleas when they were first arraigned before the court. The case now awaits further developments as negotiations over a possible plea bargain continue.
