A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has discharged former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, after the Nigerian government confirmed it had recovered funds linked to the fraud allegations against her.
Delivering the ruling on Thursday, Justice Hamza Muazu struck out the case, stating that the value of the disputed funds had been fully returned. “The charge dated October 13, 2025, is hereby struck out, and the defendants are accordingly discharged,” he ruled.
Oduah had been standing trial alongside her former aide, Gloria Odita, over alleged multi-billion naira transactions involving companies linked to the Ministry of Aviation.
Earlier, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court he was acting on the directive of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, confirming that restitution had been made. Following this, the prosecution amended the charges, removing Oduah and Odita as defendants and retaining only two companies—Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited.
The case stems from allegations that, during her tenure under former President Goodluck Jonathan, Oduah supervised transactions in which about N2.46 billion was allegedly obtained through private firms under the guise of providing aviation-related services.
Reports had earlier suggested that the case’s resolution may have been influenced by political considerations, particularly after Oduah’s defection to the All Progressives Congress. Sources alleged that a N1.54 billion settlement arrangement was proposed as part of efforts to resolve a broader N5 billion fraud case, though officials did not confirm this as a formal plea bargain.
During earlier proceedings, the prosecution noted that steps were being taken to refund the funds, while defence counsel, including Onyechi Ikpeazu, confirmed that negotiations were ongoing.
Although Oduah and Odita were discharged, the court allowed the prosecution to proceed against the companies. Both firms were subsequently arraigned on amended charges and later convicted. The court ordered them to repay N1.2 billion to the government and forfeit an additional N780 million already recovered during investigations.
Justice Muazu clarified that no criminal conviction would be recorded against Oduah and Odita, as their roles were limited to representing the companies involved in the transactions.
