The Federal Capital Territory High Court has discharged and acquitted former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, of all charges in an alleged N2.5 billion fraud case.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Justice Muazu, followed an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, who amended the original charge before the court.
Under the revised charge, two firms — Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited were retained as defendants. Representatives of both companies pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution to seek their conviction and winding-up. The defence team did not oppose the application.
Justice Muazu subsequently convicted the companies and ordered that they be wound up in accordance with the law.
Counsel to Senator Oduah, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), successfully moved an application for her discharge, which the court granted. Similarly, Wale Balogun (SAN), representing the second defendant, Gloria Odita, also secured the discharge of his client.
The case, originally instituted in December 2020, has now been formally concluded. Legal observers note that the matter carried political undertones, expressing hope that the judgment will bring closure and calm among all parties involved.
The convicted companies were charged under Section 319A of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, 2006.
