Court discharges former Aviation Minister Oduah, co-defendant in N2.4bn case; firms convicted, N1.98bn forfeited

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama has discharged former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and her former aide, Gloria Odita, from an alleged N2.4 billion fraud case after the prosecution withdrew charges against them.

Justice Hamza Muazu made the order on Thursday following an application by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF), which informed the court that it had filed an amended charge excluding both individuals.

The revised charge now listed only Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited as defendants.

Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that the amendment followed discussions between parties, including plea bargain arrangements.

In the amended charge, Sobora International was accused of unlawfully retaining N838 million, while Global Offshore and Marine Limited was alleged to have unlawfully retained N1.629 billion.

When proceedings resumed, Oduah appeared in court and represented both companies. She entered guilty pleas on their behalf to the amended charge.

Following the plea, the prosecution asked the court to convict the companies and order their winding up. It also requested that funds described as restitution and recovered proceeds be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The sums include N1.2 billion paid as restitution and N780 million recovered during investigations, totalling N1.98 billion.

Counsel to the companies, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), did not oppose the application.

Justice Muazu subsequently convicted the two firms based on their guilty plea, ordered their winding up, and directed that the N1.98 billion be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The court also struck out the earlier charge dated October 13, 2025, which had listed Oduah and Odita as defendants, and formally discharged both from the case.