Fresh petition stalls Stella Oduah's N7.9-billion fraud arraignment for the sixth time

Oluwatosin Racheal Alabi -
  • Stella Oduah's arraignment over an alleged ₦7.9 billion ($4.9 billion) fraud has been delayed for the sixth time due to a fresh petition from two co-defendants.
  • The co-defendants, Crystal Television Limited and Sobora International Limited, requested a review of the charges by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
  • The court has ordered both parties to submit written arguments on the charges' competence, with the next hearing set for February 10, 2022.

The arraignment of former Aviation Minister, Senator Stella Oduah over an alleged N7.9 billion ($4.9 billion) fraud was postponed for the sixth time on Monday, following a petition against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by two co-defendants. Crystal Television Limited and Sobora International Limited, co-defendants in the case, submitted a petition to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) requesting a review of the charges, causing another delay in the proceedings.

During the hearing before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, counsel for the 7th and 8th defendants, Ogwu James Onoja (SAN), argued that his clients were being unfairly persecuted by the EFCC. He sought to halt the arraignment until the AGF reviews the petition. Onoja presented evidence of a letter from the AGF asking the EFCC to remit the case file for review, which the EFCC allegedly ignored.

Court orders written submissions on competence of charges

EFCC counsel, Mr. Ofem Uket, denied knowledge of the AGF's letter and argued for the arraignment to proceed. However, Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the petition raised significant legal issues that must be addressed. He ordered both parties to submit written arguments on the competence of the charges, with the next hearing scheduled for February 10, 2022.

The EFCC accuses Oduah of misappropriating public funds during her time as Aviation Minister, along with other defendants facing charges of conspiracy, money laundering, and operating anonymous bank accounts.