The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to present 32 witnesses against the former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah in her ongoing fraud case.
The former minister allegedly stole over N5 billion from the country’s treasury when she held the office.
Oduah, alongside eight others were accused of complicity in money laundering offences in a case that stalled about six times before, due to the absence of the first defendant.
However, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has given the anti-graft agency, EFCC approval to prosecute the former aviation minister and others.
Prosecuting counsel Hassan Liman (SAN) informed Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court at the resumed hearing on Wednesday that Malami gave the approval in a letter dated 11 October.
Mr Ekwo, On May 10, fixed October 12 for the arraignment of the defendants following a letter from the office of the AGF in response to a petition by counsel to the eighth defendant in the suit, Ogwu Onoja (SAN).
READ ALSO: Suspend Sale Of Polaris Bank, Reps Tells CBN
On November 22, 2021, Mr Onoja objected to the defendants taking their plea, informing that a petition had already been written to the AGF, complaining that the defendants were persecuted as against prosecution.
The development prompted the court to adjourn to await a response from the AGF.
When the matter was called for the defendants to take their plea, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Liman, informed that the AGF had finally responded to the petition and given the nod in a letter for the matter to proceed.
The defendants’ lawyers, including Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), who appeared for Ms Oduah, acknowledged receipt of the AGF’s letter.
The judge, who ordered an accelerated hearing in the trial, directed all parties to get set for the next appearance.
Consequently, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to February 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, 2023 for accelerated trial.
Oduah, who served as Aviation Minister from 2011 to 2014, and is currently a senator representing Anambra North, is facing a 25-count money laundering charge the EFCC preferred against her and eight others.
Other defendants in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020, are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd, Sobora International Ltd and others.
They were charged with conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with a commercial bank and will be arraigned on a 25-count charge.