High Court Judge Suspends Stella Oduah’s N7.9bn Fraud Trial over Threat to Life

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has suspended the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, over the alleged N7.9 billion fraud charges instituted against her by the Federal Government.

Odua’s arraignment, slated for June 15, was suspended by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo over alleged threat to his life by yet-to-be identified persons. During the proceedings which eventually commenced but was later suspended, Justice Ekwo brought out a publication by a corporate organisation wherein his life was severely threatened over his involvement in the trial.

However, Justice Ekwo urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to fish out the culprits behind the corporate body and bring them before the Court.

The Judge also ordered the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court in-charge of litigation to liaise with the Corporate Affairs Commission to obtain the identities of the promoters of the offending organisation for the purpose of arresting them. Justice Ekwo later set July 17 date for report of the CAC to unravel the owners of the organisation and the order issued to the EFCC to fish out the culprits.

Meanwhile, the EFCC is alleging that Mrs Oduah misappropriated the sum of N7.9B public funds when she served as a Minister under the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Other defendants are – Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore, and Marine Limited, Tip Top Global Resources Limited, Crystal Television Limited, Sobora International Limited, and a foreign construction company. They are charged with conspiracy and money laundering, as well as maintaining anonymous bank accounts.