A High Court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Thursday discharged former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, and her aide, Gloria Odita, from a N2.5 billion fraud case after the prosecution withdrew charges against them, focusing solely on two companies linked to the ex-minister.
The amended two-count charge named Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited as the sole defendants, following ongoing plea bargain negotiations.
In court, the companies, represented by Oduah, pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing N838 million and N1.629 billion, respectively. The court subsequently convicted both firms, ordered their winding up, and mandated the forfeiture of over N2 billion to the Federal Government.
The proceedings began with prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) informing the court of the amended charge and the plea bargain agreement. Questions regarding the companies’ legal representation prompted a brief adjournment for consultations.
When proceedings resumed, Oyedepo urged the court to convict the firms, wind them up, and forfeit N1.2 billion paid as restitution, alongside N780 million recovered during the investigation, to the Federal Government. The companies’ counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), raised no objection.
Justice Hamza Muazu granted the prosecution’s motions, convicting the companies on their guilty plea, ordering their winding up, and directing the forfeiture of both restitution and recovered funds.
The judge also struck out the original October 13, 2025 charge that included Stella Oduah and Gloria Odita, formally discharging them from the case.
