Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah as been arraigned by the Federal Government before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Five Billion Naira corruption charges.
Oduah was put on trial by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi on 5- count charge bothering on advance fee fraud and conspiracy.
She however pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
In one of the counts, Stella Oduah was accused of obtaining by fraudulent pretences a sum of N2.4 billion naira through Broad Waters Resources from the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
She was said to have fraudulently claimed that the money was cost of technical supervision, having been perpetrated in January 2014.
In another count, Stella Oduah was alleged to have collected N1. 6Billion and another N839M through the same means contrary to section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud.
The former minister was docked alongside one Gloria Odita.
The trial Judge, Justice Hamza Muazu admitted Oduah to bail on self recognizance but ordered that she must deposit her travelling passport with the court and must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court.
The trial Judges’ action was as a result of the request made by counsel for the former minister, Onyechi Ikpeazu.
This is the second time the federal government will put Oduah on trial, after the first charges were withdrawn at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
