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Ex-Minister Stella Oduah Offers to Return Stolen Funds in Ongoing ₦2.5bn Fraud Case
Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, has expressed readiness to return funds allegedly taken from government coffers as part of efforts to resolve an ongoing ₦2.5 billion fraud case.
The development emerged during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, where the matter is currently being heard.
The former minister and her co-defendant signalled their intention to pursue a plea bargain arrangement with the Federal Government. The move is expected to pave the way for a possible settlement of the criminal charges brought against them.
During the court session, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the defendants had approached the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to open discussions on a plea agreement.
According to him, the proposal being discussed includes returning money allegedly obtained from the government through fraudulent means.
“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,” Oyedepo said in court.
Counsel to the former minister, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, confirmed that talks were ongoing between both sides regarding the possible settlement. He told the court that the defence team was working with the prosecution to conclude discussions around the plea arrangement.
Similarly, lawyer to the second defendant, Favour Osuanya, also acknowledged that negotiations were underway and that both parties were exploring options that could resolve the case without a prolonged trial.
Following the submissions from both the prosecution and defence teams, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter until March 26. The court is expected to receive an update on the outcome of the plea bargain discussions at the next sitting.
Earlier in the proceedings, the prosecution had explained that the plea bargain process was being explored in line with Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. Oyedepo told the court that consultations were still ongoing and requested additional time for parties involved to conclude discussions or proceed with the trial if talks fail.
Oduah and her co-defendant, Gloria Odita, are currently facing charges over alleged financial misconduct involving billions of naira during Oduah’s tenure as Minister of Aviation.
The Federal Government accused the defendants of conspiring in January 2014 to obtain ₦2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through two private companies, Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd.
According to the charge, the funds were obtained under claims that they were meant for technical supervision and logistics support services linked to aviation security projects.
The prosecution alleged that the claims were false and were used to justify the release of public funds.
“Pretending that the said sum represented ‘Cost of Technical Supervision’ and ‘Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services’, which representation you knew to be false.”
The government further maintained that the actions violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, which criminalises obtaining money under false pretences.
Court documents also alleged that the defendants secured ₦839,780,738.90 from the ministry on January 13, 2014, under the claim that the amount represented the cost of technical supervision.
Another count stated that on February 12, 2014, the defendants obtained ₦1,629,250,000 through Global Offshore Marine Ltd for “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,” a claim the prosecution insisted was untrue.
In additional counts, the Federal Government accused Oduah of dishonestly misappropriating the funds, which were originally meant for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd.
The charge stated that she “dishonestly misappropriated the sum by authorising the transfer of the said sum, which act is a breach of your official trust.”
Both Oduah and Odita had earlier denied the allegations when they were arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them.
The court will now determine the next step in the case once the parties return on the adjourned date to report the outcome of the ongoing plea bargain discussions.
By Gloria Ikibah
A fresh layer of scrutiny has been placed on billions of dollars in international health funding as the House of Representatives resumed its investigative hearing into grants received by Nigeria for the fight against major infectious diseases.
Chairman House Committee on Infectious Diseases, Rep. Amobi Ogah, in his opening remarks at the hearing on Wednesday in Abuja, called for transparency, cooperation and renewed commitment from all stakeholders involved in managing the funds.
“I want to welcome you all to this resumed hearing on the need to investigate the over $1.8 and $2.8 billion dollars grant received by Nigeria from Global Fund and USAID from 2021–2025,” he said.
Ogah reminded stakeholders that the probe followed a formal mandate by the House in October 2025, adding that earlier sessions had been delayed by public holidays.
He emphasised that the inquiry should not be misconstrued as an attempt to target individuals or organisations.
“You will recall that the House of Representatives… passed the resolution mandating the committee… to investigate this matter and report back.
“After a protracted delay… we are resuming the hearing and the committee is calling for the maximum cooperation of key stakeholders.
“I must reiterate that this exercise is not to witch-hunt anybody, nor a vendetta,.
“Rather it is borne out of the desire to put Nigeria and Nigerians in the epicentre of all our policy thrust, especially on issues of public health threats,” Ogah stated.”
The Committee Chairman explained that the investigation also aimed to reassure international donors of Nigeria’s commitment to proper financial management.
“It is also to restore confidence in our international donor partners… and to ensure that whatever grant we receive must be judiciously expended,” he added.
While acknowledging the contributions of development partners and health actors, Ogah signalled tighter legislative oversight going forward.
“Permit me to remind the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism Nigeria that the National Assembly will request the submission of all implementation plans to the Parliament for approval.
“We also expect quarterly reports of the activities of all recipients and sub-recipients”, he said.
He noted that these measures would become effective as Nigeria prepares for the next phase of Global Fund financing.
Looking ahead, Ogah warned that the country’s ambition to eliminate major infectious diseases by 2030 may be slipping out of reach.
Rep. Ogah called for better coordination across the health sector to avoid waste and duplication.
“I believe we are at a decisive turning point and it is apparent that the target of eliminating all public health threats by the year 2030 may no longer be feasible.
“However, we must not fold our hands… much needs to be done to maximise and efficiently utilise the resources at our disposal.
“There is need to streamline what state actors and non-state actors are doing… so that resources can be efficiently allocated,” Ogah urged.
Reaffirming the committee’s role, he said that the Committee will continue to provide the legislative support to “ensure full implementation of the response against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other infectious diseases in our country.”
Two major gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, Mr Adebayo Adelabu and Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, have picked the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The duo picked the forms on Wednesday in Abuja.
Adelabu is the immediate past Minister of Power and hails from Ibadan.
Alli, on the other hand, currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of the APC.
He is also an indigene of Ibadan, the state capital.
Recall that Adelabu’s Personal Assistant, Mr Ajiboye, picked up the form on behalf of his boss at the APC Secretariat in Abuja.
Alli, on his part, collected the form himself in Abuja.
Alli was accompanied by some members of the House of Representatives, among whom were Remi Oseni, Akeem Adeyemi, Olamiju Alao-Akala, and Akin Alabi.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has urged the government of South Africa to step up protection for Nigerians and other black immigrants following reports of renewed xenophobic violence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 29, NIDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa warned that the situation had worsened despite earlier diplomatic engagements between both countries.
According to the commission, recent reports suggest children of Nigerian descent are now afraid to attend school, while business owners are reluctant to open their shops for fear of looting, harassment and targeted attacks. Community leaders have also documented fresh incidents of violence and intimidation within the past 72 hours.
NIDCOM appealed to South African authorities to take “urgent and visible steps” to safeguard foreign nationals, citing obligations under international law and African Union protocols on free movement and human rights.
The commission rejected what it described as the profiling of Nigerians, stressing that crime should be treated as an individual matter. “Crime has no nationality,” the statement said, adding that offenders should be prosecuted under South African law rather than entire communities being stigmatised.
Among its demands, NIDCOM called for increased police patrols in areas where Nigerians live and work, swift arrests and prosecutions of perpetrators, and the creation of a joint Nigeria-South Africa community safety forum involving police, city officials and diaspora leaders.
The commission also urged South African authorities to issue clear public messages condemning xenophobia and stereotyping.
Nigerians living in South Africa were advised to remain law-abiding and avoid high-risk areas after dark. NIDCOM said it is in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the consulate in Johannesburg, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
While condemning the attacks, the commission praised the majority of South Africans who continue to live peacefully with other Africans, expressing confidence in the longstanding ties between both nations and pledging continued diplomatic engagement to protect Nigerians abroad.
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