The Federal Government has brought former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, and Gloria Odita, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja, on charges related to alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.

Naijaonpoint reports that the charge sheet presented to Justice Hamza Muazu stated that in January 2014, Oduah and Odita allegedly conspired to obtain a total of ₦2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd under fraudulent claims.

The first count of the charge claims that the defendants agreed to secure the sum by falsely presenting it as payment for “Cost of Technical Supervision” and “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services.”

The prosecution said the representation was false. This offence is linked to Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act.

The second count alleged that on January 13, 2014, Oduah and Odita obtained N839,780,738.90 by claiming it was for “Cost of Technical Supervision.”

The third count stated that on February 12, 2014, the defendants obtained N1,629,250,000 from the ministry through Global Offshore Marine Ltd, claiming it was for “Security Integrated and Logistics Support Services,” which the prosecution said was false.

Counts four and five accuse Oduah, in her capacity as minister, of misappropriating funds meant for a contract awarded to 1-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd by authorising transfers that breached her official trust.

The charges reference Sections 311 and 315 of the Penal Code.

When the charges were read in court, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all five counts.

Their lawyers, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, for Oduah, and Wale Balogun, SAN, for Odita, applied for bail. Ikpeazu requested bail on self-recognition, saying that Oduah voluntarily returned from the United States to comply with court orders and had previously been on administrative bail with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, representing the prosecution, did not oppose the bail but asked the court to set a firm trial date, saying that the defendants had been served with the case since November 27, 2025.

Justice Muazu granted bail on self-recognition, ordering the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court.

The trial was adjourned to February 12 and 13, 2026, for commencement.