TheCable

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation(AGF), has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) approval to prosecute Stella Oduah, former aviation minister, over N5 billion fraud allegation.

Oduah, senator representing Anambra north, is to stand trial alongside eight others on a 25-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, money laundering, and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with First Bank Plc.

Other defendants are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd, Sobora International Ltd and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd.

The EFCC alleged that Oduah misappropriated public funds worth N5 billion while serving as a minister.

Although the case has come up for arraignment several times in 2021, it was stalled for several reasons.

On November 22, 2021, Oguh Onoja, a defence counsel, raised an objection against the arraignment of the defendants, stating that he had written a petition to the AGF on the grounds that the defendants were “being persecuted”.

The case file was later transmitted to the office of the AGF for a review of the matter.

Consequently, the case was adjourned to await a response from the AGF.

At the resumed court session on Wednesday, Hassan Liman, prosecution counsel, reported that the AGF had finally reacted to the petition and approved the matter’s continuation.

The senior attorney also noted that there were 32 witnesses ready to testify in the lawsuit.

All of the defendants’ attorneys, including Onyechi Ikpeazu who represented the senator, were in court and acknowledged receiving the letter from the AGF.

Consequently, Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, directed all parties to put their house in order, noting that the suit will be given an accelerated hearing.

Ekwo said the trial would be held on a day-to-day basis between February 13 and 17, 2023.